Principles

The Beef Industry’s commitment to research dates back to the 1920’s.  For nearly 100 years, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and its predecessor organizations have made significant contributions to advancing scientific understanding of beef.  Today, through the Beef Checkoff, the research programs of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association carry on this same commitment.     

According to the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985, research is defined as studies testing the effectiveness of market development and promotion efforts, studies relating to the nutritional value of beef and beef products, other related food science research, and new product development.  The Beef Checkoff funds programs directed toward removing barriers and building desirability for beef, impacting the demand for beef both in the United States and around the world.   The NCBA, on behalf of The Beef Checkoff, expects research to be designed, conducted, and communicated with the highest standards of ethics to protect and preserve the integrity and credibility of the work.    

Scientific research programs pledge to use the following principles: 

1. An independent, external peer review will be used in the selection of scientific research.   
2.  Before the commencement of scientific studies, a written understanding will exist that the investigative team has the freedom and obligation to submit the findings for publication.    
3. By contract signature, acknowledgement of all affiliations and funding support will be noted in author relationships, publications, and conference presentations.   
4. Investigators will have control of study design, objectives, methodology, data, analysis, results, and interpretation of those results, including the writing of the manuscript.   
5. No payment will be offered or accepted with the intention of influencing the outcome of a project.   
6. Require studies involving human subjects to register clinical trial protocols.   
7.  If live animals are used, the research team must secure approval or a waiver from the Institutional Animal Use Committee or the appropriate authority. 

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