highgrit said:
There's no reason we should import Canadian beef into the US of A. I can see importing Mexican beef because of the price difference. But any imported foods should need a COOL label, and not be processed with US beef.
That northern border has always been pretty easily crossed. There are many families who for generations have lived and farmed or ranched along the border, probably on both sides of it, for that matter.
I believe there are packing plants near the border, probably on both sides, and at both ends and maybe even in the middle of the border, which process cattle from both countries. In fact they depend on cattle from both countries to keep the plants operating. And the cattle producers need a packing plant within feasible distance of their farm or ranch. It simply happened that way, no mean spirited scheme to harm one group or another.
"price difference' between beef produced in different countries has many causes. And quality certainly comes into play. While I don't know if it is correct or not, it is my opinion that cattle, among other things, raised in northern climates sure can be of better quality. Government similarities and regulation would give Canadian cattle and edge over Mexican, it seem logical to me. Mexican governments seem less stable and less driven by all their people, which leads to instability or regulations whereas USA and CAN seem to have more stability and less corruption, leading to more trustworthy foods. And, yes, there surely are many good, honest cattle producers in MEX., they just have a harder time producing food, imo. Yet I do know that our US Inspection system works to assure that the meat we do import meets our standards when it inspects their beef.
Do we "need" imported beef in the USA? Doesn't all the beef get sold? And I do believe we are producing more tonnage of beef than ever even with our smaller cow herd, so it seems that importing some beef isn't hurting us. I do know that we cannot sell the tongues, livers, tripe and other parts produced by US cattle within the USA! Trade can benefit us both ways. But, yes, we could use better 'horse traders' in the government agencies, some that are honest and dedicated to making the best and fairest deals possible for us!
mrj
: