AMERICAN EMU ASSOCIATION

• The American Emu Association (AEA) is a 1,700-member nonprofit organization of breeders, producers and marketers of emu meat and oil. Founded in 1989 by producers desiring national representation for this new industry, AEA's mission is to establish value of emu products through research, market development, and industry positioning.
• The board of directors is the governing body of AEA. Margaret Pounder, president, heads the 11-member board.
• AEA has headquarters in Dallas, Texas with six U.S. regional offices. AEA sponsors the International Emu Oil Research and Standards Team and has worked with the American Oil Chemists Society to develop standards to ensure a safe, stable oil product.
• Conducted at Texas Tech University's Timothy J. Harner Burn Center and funded by AEA, a study on emu oil as a positive burn-wound treatment was published in 1998.
• In July 1998, the emu was accepted into the National Poultry Improvement Plan. This gives AEA access to commercial poultry expertise and resources as the American emu industry continues to develop.
• AEA has worked closely with the World Ostrich Association to develop a consistent numbering system and nomenclature for cuts of meat to establish consistency in the industry.
• Emu meat is currently processed under voluntary inspection. AEA, however, is pursuing mandatory USDA inspection; a congressional bill is presently pending as an amendment to the 1968 Poultry Products Inspection Act.
• The AEA publishes EMUpdate, its bimonthly newsletter, and National Convention handouts to support the association's annual convention.

Courtesy of the American Emu Association