020405 mpXML = Data Standards for Meat Supply

Alexandria, VA - Meat & Poultry Business-to-Business Data Standards Organization is proud to announce its formation by inviting all sectors of the supply chain to join in developing industry-wide e-commerce standards.

A not-for-profit corporation, mpXML represents a broad cross-section of organizations in the meat and poultry industry. These participants are working to develop and promote the use of open standards for meat and poultry e-commerce. Membership is open to all companies in the meat and poultry supply chain, as well as those who provide supplies and services to these organizations.

mpXML is focused on creating industry-specific standards and leveraging existing e- commerce initiatives. Once developed, these standards will be placed in the public domain to be voluntarily implemented by meat and poultry supply chain companies.

Open standards will help organizations in the meat and poultry industry reduce costs, increase productivity, and conduct business electronically with a greater number of customers.

“mpXML is an industry forum for establishing e-commerce solutions that work for all segments of the meat and poultry supply chain.” said Douglas Bailey, Chairman of mpXML and Chief Information Officer of the Agricultural Marketing Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Without broad supply chain agreement on XML product and packaging vocabularies, there can be no efficient Internet-based e-commerce systems.”

The following industry-leading organizations are championing the creation of meat and poultry XML standards: USDA, Tyson Foods, Inc., Wegmans Food Markets, Perdue Farms, Smithfield Foods, Inc, and Daymon Associates.

“Tyson Foods strongly supports the development of mpXML data standards to unify a traditionally fragmented industry and ultimately save our companies vast amounts of time and money,” said Gary Cooper, Vice Chair of mpXML and Vice President of IS at Tyson Foods, Inc.

“We at Smithfield Foods firmly believe the creation of XML standards for the meat/poultry industry are paramount to the further enhancement of e-commerce efficiency,” said Mansour Zadeh, Chief Information Officer at Smithfield Foods, Inc. “This is a win-win opportunity for our suppliers and customers.”

About mpXML

mpXML was created in 2001 and is open to all interested parties. Companies that join mpXML designate representatives that serve on the committees and work groups that develop the standards. mpXML offsets its essential operating expenses through annual dues from its members.

Its activities are governed by an unpaid, elected board that represents all sectors of the meat and poultry supply chain and who help guarantee that mpXML's standards meet the needs of the entire supply chain.

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