Quality Standards Program
Establishing our Industry's Best Practices
Objective
To help the consumer have a good experience so they continue to feed wild birds.
History
WBFI Standards are one part of an overall program to gain the confidence of the consumer to help expand the second largest hobby in the US.
In 1994, WBFI adopted its own Arbitration Rules and Guidelines, which are patterned after the National Grain & Feed Association (NGFA). These WBFI arbitration procedures have been available to WBFI Members since that time. The goal is to provide a basis for covering contract disputes, not to set trade rules.
At the Spring 2001 Board of Directors meeting, the WBFI Board of Directors and guests discussed the need for industry standards for seed products and for feeder products. A committee of volunteers from the Board and the WBFI membership agreed to pursue standards development, with an initial target date for completion of 5 to 7 years.
To help WBFI move forward, Dr. Ron Pardee attended WBFI Annual Meetings in 2001 and 2002 and led the membership through some exercises in concept development. Ron has been available in the background, assisting when needed, ever since.
How can you help?
As a member of the industry, your business will be impacted by WBFI Standards in the future. Those companies that adhere to industry standards generally see an increase in business as consumer recognition of the standards increases because consumers want to know the quality of a product they are buying.
More definitions are in development now, and these, too, will be submitted to the industry for consideration prior to adoption by the WBFI.
