ASTM Committee F10 on Livestock, Meat and Poultry Evaluation Systems has approved a new standard, F2717, Guide for the Development of Independent Third-Party Verification. The standard, which was developed by Subcommittee F10.20 on Device Performance Criteria, provides an internationally recognized set of guidelines for companies that test the accuracy of livestock, meat and poultry evaluation devices or systems. According to Bryice A. Wilke, F10 member, the committee feels that the standard will add integrity to the livestock, meat and poultry industries by requiring that all evaluation systems and devices reference materials be certified by an independent third party that meets specified guidelines.

The standard will eliminate the use of electronic evaluating devices that give readings that are false and that facilitate the perpetration of fraud.  The livestock industry is accustomed to getting paid on accurate weights from a scale tested by certified test weights.  Now the industry can move to getting accurate results from an electronic evaluation device through F2717.

ASTM Committee F10 on Livestock, Meat and Poultry Evaluation Systems was formed in October 2001 and meets twice a year. All interested parties are invited to participate in the standards developing activities of Committee F10.

ASTM International standards can be purchased from Customer Service (phone: 610-832-9585; https://www.astm.org/contact/) or at www.astm.org. For technical Information, contact Bryice A. Wilke, USDA Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa (phone: 515-323-2579; bryice.a.wilke@usda.gov).  Committee F10 meets Oct. 1-2 during the October committee week in Miami, Fla. For meeting or membership information, contact Kate McClung (phone: 610-832-9717; kmcclung@astm.org).

Release #8047