Project Scope
The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center (LSU AgCenter), the World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO), the World Laboratory, Ukraine Branch in Kiev (World Lab), and the Central Agricultural Marketing Information Bureau (CAMIB) of Moldova implemented the first phase of the Partnerships for Food Industry Development for Meat, Seafood and Poultry (PFID-MSP) Program. This program incorporated a global strategy that included development of this Web site and the promotion of strategies that can be applied in other parts of the world.
This was a partnership combining complementary strengths and expertise. The LSU AgCenter brought its research and education capacity, as well as its proven record of working with industries and producers. The WFLO represented the “cold chain” industries and brought its state-of-the-art knowledge and worldwide experience in the preservation of perishable products. The LSU AgCenter has had an existing relationship with the World Lab since 1992, and World Lab conducts many scientific programs and projects in Ukraine. CAMIB is a leading non-governmental organization involved in marketing information services and food safety in Moldova. Both European partners are well connected with the food industries in their respective countries. These factors permitted PFID-MSP to make meaningful contributions and to profoundly advance the food industry in the region.
- The program was anchored on industry awareness, support mechanisms, post-harvest and processing technologies, capacity building and business partnerships. Our implementation approach involved a five-stage process: Industry assessment/crosscutting analysis
- Assembly of key stakeholders
- Identification of critical issues, prioritization of needs and impact on local cultures
- Development of solution strategies
- Implementation of strategies
Accomplishments to Date
Some highlights of accomplishments in Phase I follow.
Policy Intervention, Food Laws
The PFID-MSP program in Ukraine gained recognition from government, the industry and regulatory bodies. Thus, PFID-MSP played a key role at the policy level in terms of food safety for the country. Specifically, PFID-MSP provided support in drafting and promoting the following legislative content:
- Mandated step-by-step implementation of HACCP at processing plants in Ukraine; and
- Harmonization with current international food safety regulations.
Output Market Support Mechanisms
PFID Ukraine established a range of model output market mechanisms to support commercial cattle sales for the first time in a rural province, with active support of the local administration. To date, 68 sales were conducted, in which 7,200 swine and cattle were sold, saving the a local meat processing plant 6% in buying expenses. This demonstrated the Project’s capability to improve links between processors and raw material producers, resulting in a reliable supply for the food industry.
Trade Capacity Building
Science-based Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance: PFID-MSP introduced the concept of food safety systems, including, HACCP, SCP and best practices in Ukraine and Moldova. This activity resulted in training 92 individuals from industry, regulatory bodies, government and universities in Moldova, 114 individuals from Ukraine and 10 Azeris. Additionally about 300 attended PFID-MSP seminars and conferences. The PFID-MSP staff also actively introduced HACCP plans and implementation at several processing plants in both countries. Because of the realization that HACCP compliance is now increasingly required by importing nations, processors are well aware of the market and quality advantages, leading to an increased request from PFID-MSP for assistance in implementing HACCP at their plants.
The LSU AgCenter trained eight from Moldova, and nine from Ukraine in the train-the-trainer HACCP courses in the U.S. These U.S.-certified trainers have formed the core of food safety awareness and implementation in the PFID-MSP target countries. The Ukrainian trainers already have trained 40 individuals in Basic HACCP as certified by the National Seafood Alliance and the International HACCP Alliance from the U.S.
PFID Ukraine successfully established the Ukrainian International Institute for Food Safety and Quality (IIFSQ) to act as a repository of food safety information, training and policy intervention. This organization is registered as an NGO and wields considerable influence in policy and training in food safety in Ukraine. This is reflected in the drafting and passage of food safety laws outlined above. The Government of Ukraine also has recognized the value of the Institute and has provided financial support.
PFID-MSP staff translated 14 food safety manuals, guidebooks, regulations and Q & A bulletins. Included are the HACCP training curriculum, Fish and Fisheries Products Hazards and Control Guidance, USDA Meat and Poultry Products Hazards and Control.
Long-term Relationships with Local Universities
As a higher education institution, the LSU AgCenter has signed Memoranda of Understanding with preeminent academic institutions in Ukraine since 1992, investing university funds to support research and exchanges. In similar fashion, the LSU AgCenter executed an MOU with the National Agricultural University of Ukraine to develop a comprehensive Food Science curriculum, research and industry outreach program. LSU has committed more than $250,000 for tuition waivers and assistantship awards over four years for the National Agricultural University of Ukraine. Other support includes travel to the U.S. by key individuals from targeted universities for strategic planning, and travel by LSU faculty to Ukraine. The LSU AgCenter had also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics.
Enabling Environment for Trade
Among PFID-MSP’s accomplishments in promoting increased business activity are:
- Linkages to U.S. Regulatory Agencies – The LSU AgCenter established relationships between host country and U.S. regulatory agencies such as the FDA. Such linkages were promoted through U.S. officials visiting PFID-MSP target countries to design strategies toward the execution of agreements of regulatory compliance.
- Building Associations – PFID-MSP promoted the establishment of new associations that provide essential linkages. The LSU AgCenter’s U.S. partner, the WFLO, has considerable worldwide experience in the establishment of associations. Using this capability, several associations were established, resulting in considerable economic impact for some segments of the food industry. For example, the Azov Sea Association established through PFID Ukraine efforts is providing marketing assistance, legal consultations and other services to its members.
- Business Partnership Promotion – PFID-MSP promoted the analysis and creation of local capacity for the creation of business partnerships. These activities ranged from identifying local investors for poultry processing to case studies of existing joint ventures in the meat/seafood industries. In the fall of 2003, PFID-MSP held a conference of stakeholders and collaborators in Moldova to present what PFID-MSP learned in terms of the environment for attracting investment. These lessons have been applied toward improving the investment climate by a newly organized task force.
- Promotion of Value-added Technology – As a result of adopting a PFID-promoted technology in freshwater fish processing, a new Moldovan plant named Ihticom established a sales volume of 117 tons (valued at more than $114,000) and increased its employment by 16 positions.
Links
Further details of how PFID-promoted interventions affected stakeholders in the food industry positively are described in the following documents.
i) Ukrainian Success Stories:
ii) Moldovan Success Stories: