RCALF via REUTERS

[Incognito]

A U.S. rancher group, which
opposes the resumption of live cattle imports from Canada, on
Thursday again called on the Bush administration to maintain
the trade barrier to protect the American herd from mad cow
disease.
The Bush administration is in the final stages of reviewing
a proposal that would allow imports of Canadian cattle under 30
months old, as well as most types of beef from Canada.
Import barriers were imposed by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture in May, 2003, after Canada found its first domestic
case of mad cow disease. Since then, Canada has instituted a
series of measures it says helps guard against the spread of
the fatal animal disease.
But R-CALF USA, representing some U.S. ranchers, filed
additional papers with USDA on Thursday calling on the Bush
administration to abandon its plan to reopen the border to
Canadian live cattle.
"USDA must change its policy because there are gaping holes
in its efforts to prematurely reintroduce Canadian beef and
cattle imports into the United States," said R-CALF USA CEO
Bill Bullard.
The rancher group also threatened legal action "as a last
resort" if Canadian cattle imports resume. Early this year,
R-CALF won a court order halting some beef trade from Canada.
In papers filed with USDA, R-CALF argued that reopening the
border ignores science-based international standards for
guarding against the spread of bovine spongiform
encephalopathy.
R-CALF filed the comments with USDA even though a public
comment period expired several months ago.
USDA officials were not immediately available for comment
on whether it would consider the new R-CALF comments.

[farmers_son]

The actual comment R-CALF filed can be viewed at:
http://www.r-calfusa.com/BSE/R-CALF%20USA%20Supplental%20Comments.pdf

It is my impression that R-CALF’s continued attempts to block imports of Canadian beef are doing the American beef industry a huge disservice. The arguments that R-CALF raise to the effect that Canadian beef is unsafe are sure to backfire on them when inevitably the U.S. find their own indigenous case of BSE.

R-CALF’s shrill and zealous protectionist efforts stand to dramatically undermine consumer confidence in beef in the United States. Given the level of harmonization in BSE controls between the U.S. and Canada, all attempts by R-CALF to cast doubt upon the safety of Canadian beef reflect upon their own product.

American beef producers calling their twin sister ugly does not give the North American consumer any reason for increased confidence in her beef purchase.

[rodb]

Had a chance to watch RFDTV this week and R-Calf has it's own program with the President and CEO spouting their message that Canadian Beef is unsafe. Needless to say I was about ready to put my foot through the TV screen.

The American Ag news is very negative about anyform of free trade. The only trade they consider is selling US ag products and getting good old greenbacks in exchange.

This blatant half truths is going to make it hard for us to educate US Producers that we have an integrated market.