I-BAND: Global Beef Trade Controlled by Multi-National Meat Packers
May 19, 2006
Menoken, ND ~ The Independent Beef Association of North Dakota (I-BAND) expressed concern today that multi-national meat packing companies are manipulating domestic cattle prices and controlling global beef trade at the expense of U.S. cattle producers and consumers.
I-BAND leadership says the organization is urging North Dakota’s Senators Dorgan and Conrad and Congressman Pomeroy to help bring national attention to the issue.
The following statements can be attributed to Patrick Becker. I-BAND President.
"While U.S. producers remain locked out of Asian export markets, Tyson Fresh Meats and Cargill are approved to export beef to Japan from their Canadian processing plants and Swift has access to Japanese markets through its Australian meat holdings."
"U.S. cattle markets are a key element in establishing world prices for live cattle. Consequently, it is in the packers’ economic best interest to drive U.S. cattle prices lower. While certain Asian markets have been, and remain, closed to U.S. beef the packers continue to dump their international captive supply cattle into American markets, subsequently driving prices lower domestically and globally."
"The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to refuse to allow smaller meat packing companies like Creekstone to blanket test for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), which would reopen Japanese markets for U.S. beef. In fact, had the agency permitted Creekstone to test when the company originally requested to do so, it’s likely the import ban - now more than two years old - could have been averted altogether."
"USDA’s actions demonstrate complicity. By preventing competition from smaller processors through BSE testing, the agency has effectively kept our most lucrative export markets closed while the multi-national meat packing companies have regained access through their holdings in foreign nations."
USDA insisted on reopening U.S. borders to younger Canadian cattle and beef products. Subsequently, domestic cattle prices have fallen dramatically while the multi-nationals' profits are soaring."
"USDA has made clear its intention to proceed with opening U.S. markets to even more Canadian imports, by accepting older live cattle and expanded beef products, which will put domestic markets under even more pressure."
"It’s time for Congress to intervene. First, by examining the market mechanisms being abused by the multi-national packing industry; second, by investigating USDA’s role in this abuse; and third, by providing effective and meaningful legislative solutions that will protect U.S. cattle producers from exploitation."
I-BAND is North Dakota’s fastest growing grassroots cattlemen’s organization, addressing the market interests of North Dakota cattle producers. I-BAND’s primary purpose is to address threats posed to the domestic cattle industry by unfair and illegal trade practices, imports, and all issues affecting the profitability of North Dakota beef producers. Voting members must own cattle. I-BAND adheres to a one-man one vote policy. Membership dues are $50 annually. To join call 701.422.3396.
May 19, 2006
Menoken, ND ~ The Independent Beef Association of North Dakota (I-BAND) expressed concern today that multi-national meat packing companies are manipulating domestic cattle prices and controlling global beef trade at the expense of U.S. cattle producers and consumers.
I-BAND leadership says the organization is urging North Dakota’s Senators Dorgan and Conrad and Congressman Pomeroy to help bring national attention to the issue.
The following statements can be attributed to Patrick Becker. I-BAND President.
"While U.S. producers remain locked out of Asian export markets, Tyson Fresh Meats and Cargill are approved to export beef to Japan from their Canadian processing plants and Swift has access to Japanese markets through its Australian meat holdings."
"U.S. cattle markets are a key element in establishing world prices for live cattle. Consequently, it is in the packers’ economic best interest to drive U.S. cattle prices lower. While certain Asian markets have been, and remain, closed to U.S. beef the packers continue to dump their international captive supply cattle into American markets, subsequently driving prices lower domestically and globally."
"The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to refuse to allow smaller meat packing companies like Creekstone to blanket test for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), which would reopen Japanese markets for U.S. beef. In fact, had the agency permitted Creekstone to test when the company originally requested to do so, it’s likely the import ban - now more than two years old - could have been averted altogether."
"USDA’s actions demonstrate complicity. By preventing competition from smaller processors through BSE testing, the agency has effectively kept our most lucrative export markets closed while the multi-national meat packing companies have regained access through their holdings in foreign nations."
USDA insisted on reopening U.S. borders to younger Canadian cattle and beef products. Subsequently, domestic cattle prices have fallen dramatically while the multi-nationals' profits are soaring."
"USDA has made clear its intention to proceed with opening U.S. markets to even more Canadian imports, by accepting older live cattle and expanded beef products, which will put domestic markets under even more pressure."
"It’s time for Congress to intervene. First, by examining the market mechanisms being abused by the multi-national packing industry; second, by investigating USDA’s role in this abuse; and third, by providing effective and meaningful legislative solutions that will protect U.S. cattle producers from exploitation."
I-BAND is North Dakota’s fastest growing grassroots cattlemen’s organization, addressing the market interests of North Dakota cattle producers. I-BAND’s primary purpose is to address threats posed to the domestic cattle industry by unfair and illegal trade practices, imports, and all issues affecting the profitability of North Dakota beef producers. Voting members must own cattle. I-BAND adheres to a one-man one vote policy. Membership dues are $50 annually. To join call 701.422.3396.