Meat Slaughter and Processing Plants' Traceability Levels: Evidence from Iowa

Based on an econometric analysis of the data obtained from a survey of meat plants (n=53 ) in Iowa in summer 2007, this paper identifies the factors impacting the meat plants’ voluntary adoption of forward and backward traceability activities. The results suggest that the ownership type (corporate versus independent) and operations type (slaughtering versus not) matter rather than the size and meat type produced (beef, pork, or poultry) as suggested in the previous surveys. Furthermore, food safety activities appear to be complementary to traceability activities. The findings may assist ongoing regulatory efforts in implementing traceability in U.S. in the near future.