Oldtimer
Well-known member
R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America
"Fighting for the U.S. Cattle Producer"
For Immediate Release Contact: Shae Dodson, Communications Coordinator
July 9, 2007 Phone: 406-672-8969; e-mail: [email protected]
Cubin Leads Bipartisan Effort to Oppose USDA's OTM Proposal,
Scolds Agency for Abandoning Domestic Cattle Producers in OIE Decision
Washington, D.C. – U.S. cattle producers are pleased that Rep. Barbara Cubin, R-Wyo., and seven congressional colleagues – Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, D-S.D., Rep. David Wu, D-Ore., Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., Rep. Peter Defazio, D-Ore., Rep. Dennis Rehberg, R-Mont., and Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D. – jointly sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns that calls for the withdrawal of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) proposed rule that would allow Canadian cattle over 30 months (OTM) of age into the United States.
"R-CALF USA appreciates the courage shown by these Members of Congress as they have withstood the mounting pressure by agribusiness groups that want to fully resume cattle and beef trade with Canada, despite Canada's ongoing problems with BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy)," said R-CALF USA President/Region VI Director Max Thornsberry, a Missouri veterinarian who also chairs the group's animal health committee.
"These members did what is right for U.S. cattle producers and consumers," he emphasized.
The bipartisan letter states: "USDA's proposed rule would permit the importation of live Canadian cattle born after March 1, 1999. We, and the cattle ranchers we represent, believe expanding imports of Canadian livestock and beef will have serious repercussions for the American cattle industry and we urge you to withdraw the proposal.
"Given the discovery of Canada's eleventh case of BSE, it is becoming increasingly clear that Canada has not taken the necessary steps to protect its herd from the spread of BSE," the letter continues. "Increasing U.S. imports of Canadian cattle and beef at this critical time would have significant negative impact on the economic well-being of American cattle producers, and could seriously disrupt our efforts to expand U.S. beef exports overseas."
Cubin also points out that five of Canada's BSE cases have occurred in cattle born after the March 1, 1999, date that USDA proposes as an appropriate age for importation.
"R-CALF USA also appreciates the fact that these U.S. Representatives have pointed out USDA's glaring error in judgment as the agency complacently allowed the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to categorize the U.S. and Canada as having the same risk level for BSE," Thornsberry commented.
The letter also states, "Furthermore, we were deeply disappointed to read the (OIE) resolution, which links the U.S. herd to Canada's by classifying both as 'controlled' risk countries, despite the obvious disparity in the two countries' BSE management efforts and infection rate. Even more troubling than the OIE classification itself, however, was the USDA's abandonment of the American cattle producer in the face of the OIE's May 22 resolution. Rather than praise the classification – which creates the mistaken impression that no differences exist between the Canadian and American herds – the USDA ought to have challenged the OIE's assumptions on behalf of America's cattlemen."
In the letter, Members of Congress also state, "There is a very real possibility that USDA's proposal would lead to the importation of additional BSE-infected animals from Canada, which would destroy years of hard work by the American cattle industry, the Administration, and Congress to restore the confidence of our trading partners in the safety of American beef."
In closing, the letter states, "The USDA could go a long way in restoring the confidence of cattlemen all across this country, not to mention our cattle and beef trading partners around the world, by withdrawing the OTM rule. Thank you for your timely attention to this important matter, and we look forward to your response."
R-CALF USA membership-established policy states that the R-CALF USA Board of Directors should take appropriate action to challenge and stop USDA from allowing the importation of beef products from cattle older than 30 months of age, as well as the importation of live cattle over 30 months of age, from Japan or any other BSE-affected country.
"Fighting for the U.S. Cattle Producer"
For Immediate Release Contact: Shae Dodson, Communications Coordinator
July 9, 2007 Phone: 406-672-8969; e-mail: [email protected]
Cubin Leads Bipartisan Effort to Oppose USDA's OTM Proposal,
Scolds Agency for Abandoning Domestic Cattle Producers in OIE Decision
Washington, D.C. – U.S. cattle producers are pleased that Rep. Barbara Cubin, R-Wyo., and seven congressional colleagues – Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, D-S.D., Rep. David Wu, D-Ore., Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., Rep. Peter Defazio, D-Ore., Rep. Dennis Rehberg, R-Mont., and Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D. – jointly sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns that calls for the withdrawal of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) proposed rule that would allow Canadian cattle over 30 months (OTM) of age into the United States.
"R-CALF USA appreciates the courage shown by these Members of Congress as they have withstood the mounting pressure by agribusiness groups that want to fully resume cattle and beef trade with Canada, despite Canada's ongoing problems with BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy)," said R-CALF USA President/Region VI Director Max Thornsberry, a Missouri veterinarian who also chairs the group's animal health committee.
"These members did what is right for U.S. cattle producers and consumers," he emphasized.
The bipartisan letter states: "USDA's proposed rule would permit the importation of live Canadian cattle born after March 1, 1999. We, and the cattle ranchers we represent, believe expanding imports of Canadian livestock and beef will have serious repercussions for the American cattle industry and we urge you to withdraw the proposal.
"Given the discovery of Canada's eleventh case of BSE, it is becoming increasingly clear that Canada has not taken the necessary steps to protect its herd from the spread of BSE," the letter continues. "Increasing U.S. imports of Canadian cattle and beef at this critical time would have significant negative impact on the economic well-being of American cattle producers, and could seriously disrupt our efforts to expand U.S. beef exports overseas."
Cubin also points out that five of Canada's BSE cases have occurred in cattle born after the March 1, 1999, date that USDA proposes as an appropriate age for importation.
"R-CALF USA also appreciates the fact that these U.S. Representatives have pointed out USDA's glaring error in judgment as the agency complacently allowed the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to categorize the U.S. and Canada as having the same risk level for BSE," Thornsberry commented.
The letter also states, "Furthermore, we were deeply disappointed to read the (OIE) resolution, which links the U.S. herd to Canada's by classifying both as 'controlled' risk countries, despite the obvious disparity in the two countries' BSE management efforts and infection rate. Even more troubling than the OIE classification itself, however, was the USDA's abandonment of the American cattle producer in the face of the OIE's May 22 resolution. Rather than praise the classification – which creates the mistaken impression that no differences exist between the Canadian and American herds – the USDA ought to have challenged the OIE's assumptions on behalf of America's cattlemen."
In the letter, Members of Congress also state, "There is a very real possibility that USDA's proposal would lead to the importation of additional BSE-infected animals from Canada, which would destroy years of hard work by the American cattle industry, the Administration, and Congress to restore the confidence of our trading partners in the safety of American beef."
In closing, the letter states, "The USDA could go a long way in restoring the confidence of cattlemen all across this country, not to mention our cattle and beef trading partners around the world, by withdrawing the OTM rule. Thank you for your timely attention to this important matter, and we look forward to your response."
R-CALF USA membership-established policy states that the R-CALF USA Board of Directors should take appropriate action to challenge and stop USDA from allowing the importation of beef products from cattle older than 30 months of age, as well as the importation of live cattle over 30 months of age, from Japan or any other BSE-affected country.