The following pages set out R&D areas and strategies designed to address the key industry issues, along with targets and performance indicators.

Listed below are the research areas that have been identified along with guidelines on the proportion of the R&D budget to be allocated to these research areas. These guidelines provide an indication only of the priority of these issues for research funding and the Advisory Committee will not be constrained by them in making funding decisions.
 
 

Research Area Proportion of Expenditure  Implications of the Changing Economic Environment for the Australian Egg Industry  New and Existing Markets Public Health  Flock Health and Disease Management  Feed Availability and Nutrition  Husbandry and Welfare  Environmentally Sustainable Management  Training, Information and Technology Transfer

(%)    5-10         5-10   10-15   20-25   20-25   10-15    5-10   20-25

 

At the end of this section is a table that summarises how the R&D objectives described in this Plan address the key issues identified by the industry.
 
 
 

R&D Area

Implications of the Changing Economic Environment for the Australian Egg Industry

 

Objectives
1 To assess the implications of domestic and international economic policy issues on the Australian egg industry
2 To assess the economic impact of changes in the Australian economy on the egg industry and vice versa

 

Strategies
1.1 Assemble information on the implications for industry development of policy changes in areas such as trade, quarantine, animal welfare, land use and industry sustainability
1.2 Undertake analyses of policy and other changes which are expected to influence the major inputs used by the egg industry and their implications
1.3 Conduct appropriate benchmarking studies and utilise the results to improve industry competitiveness and highlight the benefits of eggs
2.1 Develop a better understanding of the implications for the egg industry of changes in economic conditions on consumer behaviour
2.2 Develop a better understanding of the national, state and regional interrelationships between the egg industry and other food producing sectors of the economy

 

Targets
Improved understanding of the implications of changes in the economic environment for the egg industry
Constructive input to the policy reform debate
Better understanding of the role the egg industry plays in the Australian economy

 

Performance Indicators
Research reports which clearly identify the implications of policy reform and changes in the economic environment for the egg industry
Contribution of objective research to the policy reform debate

 
 

R&D Area

New and Existing Markets

 

Objective
1 To expand existing markets and develop new markets for eggs and egg products

 

Strategies
1.1 Conduct market research to monitor trends in the habits and perceptions of consumers
1.2 Develop programs to optimise opportunities for the industry arising from consumer market research
1.3 Work with industry for the general benefit of the industry to promote the development of new processed egg products
1.4 Examine the use of eggs in non-food applications, eg pharmaceuticals production

 

Targets
Increase the usage of eggs and egg products in the processed food and food service sectors
Broaden the product base utilising eggs

 

Performance Indicators
Per capita egg consumption
Net value of the egg industry

 

 
 

R&D Area

Public Health

 

Objectives
1 To enhance the safety of eggs
2 To establish and improve the health and nutritional benefits of eggs and egg products

 

Strategies
1.1 Undertake research to enable thorough risk analysis of new and emerging food safety issues
1.2 Establish critical control points and techniques for reducing contamination of eggs with potentially harmful micro-organisms and chemical residues
1.3 Work with industry to refine HACCP-based quality assurance through all stages to consumption
1.4 Develop improved methods for monitoring the safety of eggs and egg products
1.5 Develop information packages on the safety of eggs
2.1 Conduct research into the health and nutritional characteristics of eggs
2.2 Undertake research and development to provide industry with information on trends and likely impacts of the key health and nutritional issues that drive the market for eggs and egg products
2.3 Develop information packages with health and nutrition facts on eggs

 

Targets
Food safety plans cover all existing and potential public health risks from eggs and egg products
Risk management in the egg industry is enhanced by new rapid tests for microbiological and chemical hazards
Food safety is enhanced by adoption of appropriate technology
Industry product development and promotion is enhanced by relevant nutritional research and market information Contingency plans for food safety issues

 

Performance Indicators
Incidence of food borne disease associated with the consumption of eggs
Level of confidence of human nutrition advisers and consumers in eggs
Level of compliance with maximum residue limits (MRL)

 
 

R&D Area

Flock Health and Disease Management

 

Objectives
1 To maintain and improve the health and productivity of Australian flocks
2 To minimise disease outbreaks and develop containment strategies

 

Strategies
1.1 Support the development of improved vaccines and vaccination strategies
1.2 Promote the development of alternative control measures for infectious diseases
1.3 Support the development of new or improved diagnostic techniques
1.4 Investigate interactions between disease, nutrition and management in terms of flock health and productivity
1.5 Develop information packages on poultry health and disease prevention for the benefit of individual producers and the industry overall to promote best practice
2.1 Develop disease response mechanisms including identification of professional assistance and technical resources which can be mobilised to respond effectively to disease problems
2.2 Prepare appropriate extension material for use by industry
2.3 Map potential disease outbreak "weak spots"

 

Targets
Improve the cost-effectiveness of poultry health management programs
Minimise production losses by promoting an economically sustainable poultry health management program
Contingency plans for disease outbreaks

 

Performance Indicators
Incidence of health related problems
Production costs associated with flock health
Response to disease outbreaks

 

 

R&D Area

Feed Availability and Nutrition

 

Objectives
1 To maximise returns on feed expenditure
2 To ensure an adequate supply of quality feed ingredients

 

Strategies
1.1 Review flock nutritional requirements
1.2 Investigate methods of optimising ration formulation to maximise profitability
1.3 Investigate methods of improving ingredient or ration quality and assess the potential returns
1.4 Investigate rations and feeding strategies that minimise the environmental impact of egg production
2.1 Assess the value of alternative feed ingredients
2.2 Investigate techniques to increase the use of low cost ingredients
2.3 Investigate alternative sources of feed grain - imported and domestic

 

Targets
Detailed knowledge of flock nutrient requirements
Detailed knowledge of the economic and nutritive value of ingredients to minimise the impact of variations in price and availability of individual ingredients

 

Performance Indicators
Feed cost per egg
The range of ingredients feed formulators will consider for inclusion in rations

 

 
 

R&D Area

Husbandry and Welfare

 

Objective
1 To assist the Australian industry to adopt best practice in husbandry and welfare standards

 

Strategies
1.1 Develop or identify universally accepted methods of defining and assessing bird welfare
1.2 Compare bird production, husbandry, welfare, management, product quality, food safety, and staff occupational health and safety in traditional cage and alternative systems
1.3 Develop best practice manuals and educational packages for various production systems
1.4 Development of new or improved management tools

 

Targets
Improve production and bird welfare
Define objective measures of bird welfare

 

Performance Indicators
Level of community concern
Level of compliance of the industry with Codes of Practice
Bird performance

 

 
 

R&D Area

Environmentally Sustainable Management

 

Objective
1 To research and develop production and management systems that are safe, sustainable and environmentally responsible

 

Strategies
1.1 Conduct research into standards acceptable to the community, government agencies and industry on farm emissions such as odours, dust and noise
1.2 Conduct research into management practices that are sustainable
1.3 Assist industry to respond to prevailing environmental concerns and prepare for emerging issues
1.4 Maintain, develop and disseminate procedures for minimising human health risks associated with flock management

 

Targets
Objective data available on levels of farm emissions and appropriate buffer zones
Industry following best practice in waste management
Industry able to promptly and effectively respond to prevailing environmental concerns and prepared to deal with emerging issues
Relevant government agencies supportive of industry development plans and environmental strategies

 

Performance Indicators
Acceptance of the objective data on the environmental impact of the poultry industries
Industry response to environmental concerns
Frequency of neighbour complaints against poultry farms
Frequency of poultry farm development applications rejected on the basis of environmental impact

 
 

R&D Area

Training, Information and Technology Transfer

 

Objectives
1 To facilitate and support training to meet the skill base needs across all sectors of the Australian egg industry
2 To facilitate information and technology transfer to the Australian egg industry

 

Strategies
1.1 Support training in areas of perceived need by the Australian egg industry
1.2 Co-ordinate effective training delivery systems and develop training materials to meet industry needs
2.1 To present information packages to meet the needs of industry and the general public
2.2 Ensure that appropriate adoption strategies and information and technology transfer mechanisms are incorporated within all Australian egg industry research and development projects

 

Targets
Appropriate training material and courses available for all skills levels
Training of sufficient appropriately qualified personnel at the graduate and postgraduate level to meet the technical skills base needs of the Australian egg industry
An Australian egg industry that is technically well trained and well supported in all aspects of egg production and post-farm gate activity
Effective mechanisms for rapid information and technology transfer from Australian and overseas sources to the Australian egg industry

 

Performance Indicators
Employment of graduates and postgraduates by the industry
Knowledge base of Australian egg industry personnel
Speed of uptake of technology and ideas

 

Table 1: Summary of Issues
 

R&D OBJECTIVE	INDUSTRY ISSUE
	Economy	Markets	Public Health	Flock Health	Feed	Husbandry and Welfare	Environment	Training
Assess effects of economic policy reform	4	4			4			4
Assess effects of changes in the domestic economy	4	4						4
Expand existing markets and develop new markets	4	4						4
Establish and improve health and nutritional benefits		4	4					4
Enhance food safety		4	4					4
Maintain and improve flock health and productivity				4	4	4		4
Minimise effects of disease outbreaks				4		4		4
Maximise returns on feed expenditure				4	4	4	4	4
Safeguard feed supply	4				4			4
Adopt best practice in husbandry and welfare				4	4	4	4	4
Environmentally sustainable and responsible production	4	4		4	4	4	4	4
Well-trained personnel								4
Rapid uptake and adoption of new technology and ideas								4