Just for the sake of discussion

[mrj]

Soapweed...My Wilson boots are made with Mexican labor, but they are high quality boots. They suit me fine. My straw hat was made in Mexico. My handy-dandy cowboy shirt, complete with snaps, yokes, and pockets, was made in China. For twelve bucks at Walmart, I'm not complaining.

I don't think consumers are nearly as country conscious as we would hope them to be. If I'm not, how can I hold other consumers to a higher standard than I do myself.

How did you know where your hat, shirt, and boots came from Soapweed? Did you just guess?
Do you think all the branded beef will just disappear if-when M-COOL is inacted? Tyson sells all select beef in wal-mart, with water and flavor added. Will they stop doing this?

Reading your and mj's posts on this I get the feeling that you two think all American beef but branded is junk.

Tommy, I know, and have stated many times on this site, that SOME beef raised in the USA is great stuff. We happen to raise some of it!

I don't know about the beef you raise, but driving over a LARGE chunk of the USA the past several years, we have seen an awful lot of cattle that make us believe there is way too much low quality beef RAISED in the USA.

We also know that there are too many ranchers who do not take the time to do follow BQA procedures properly on their cattle. Too many USA producers do not follow withdrawal times on medications before slaughter.

And you want a label all USA RAISED beef and make the rest of us suffer the consequences for those who fail to properly manage their cattle???

No thanks!!!

MRJ

 

[mrj]

Soap- Your so hung up on the cost of COOL- What do you think the cost of M-ID will be that NCBA is pushing thru with all their might :???: ...I guarantee it will cost producers 10 times more than implementing M-COOL (and when you figure in the whole building of a new government bureaucracy to operate and oversee it- the cost could be much more) - and will guarantee the consumer absolutely no more traceback as the plan is to allow the Packers to throw away the tag at the kill floor door.....

Since we had a gift certificate that was given to us as an anniversary gift--I would have bought a couple hundred dollars of beef products off that Schwann's man if he could have guaranteed he wasn't selling me Mexican or Canadian beef- but since neither he, nor the district rep could, the wife spent it on fish...

OT, you are absolutely wrong about what NCBA is doing re. M-ID, as usual for you.

When government (and worldwide industry and consumers) said M-ID WAS going to happen, NCBA members were determined to have a hand in HOW it would happen and assure that it would be something cattle producer members could handle and benefit from.

The current proposal by NCBA and others is to have it be done by a COALITION of producers of the animals affected, not by additional government bureaucracy, in order to keep the costs as low as possible, and to allow the producers to control and gain benefits from such identification, beyone the government security use of the ID.

MRJ

 

[Anonymous]

As far as monopolies go, I personally wish that the nation's phone service was still all in the Ma Bell monopoly. When the Belle Telephone Company was considered a monopoly and broken up, and many new phone companies started up, service went all to heck and rates went higher. Sometimes it is not all that great to get everything we wish for.

Soap, with all due respect, I think you have lost it now. Before Reagan broke the Bell System up we were paying .35 cents per minute (and more)for long distance calls and had no choice but to pay $10.00 per month and up rent on those telephones.

Now I pay .03 cents per minute for my long distance and can go to most any store and buy a phone for $29.95.

The service has never been better. Competition is the lifeblood of capitalism.

Not even the liberals themselves question the breaking up of the BELL system as being a good move for competition in the U.S.

You been drinking gin with MRJ?

Maybe it is different in more populated areas, but out here we on the end of the whip and get to suffer the whiplash. Our cell service is next to nothing. It is a rare call that we don't have to redial and try again. If you talk over a half a minute, it is guaranteed to cut off. The local tower is still analog, so if I forget to change phone batteries at noon, the battery is dead by three o'clock in the afternoon, even if I haven't even used the phone.

When Belle Telephone was the only one, it was nice to be able to make a call and have everything work. A person could always find a pay phone in some town, and make a phone call. Getting a phone number from Information was always free. I don't know how many times I'd call the operator from a pay phone, put a call through and charge it to my home phone. After the break-up, you couldn't do that anymore. Now you can hardly find a pay phone. The whole world revolves around cell phones, but ours don't work.

Sure, technology has come a long ways since then, but service has suffered. When ol' Mother Belle was in charge, things worked.

Here its the opposite of you Soap-- the local telephone co-op (Nemont) took over Bells holdings and expanded upon them...But they were years ahead of Bell anyway, but brought the Bell town customers up to the same quality that the rural had been getting... Now as they keep putting up cell towers, coverage is quite good- in fact we even have two or three cell phone providers fighting over customers...The co-op offers unlimited local calling within a 7 county area-- one other (Vonage ?)offers unlimited long distance out of the area...Anyone who travels much (like my son) has both and no longer worries about having a home phone.....

And each time a new model phone comes out they are offering free phones and all kinds of contract incentives to get people to switch providers...I think my daughters new phones will do everything but milk the cow!

 

[Anonymous]

Soap- Your so hung up on the cost of COOL- What do you think the cost of M-ID will be that NCBA is pushing thru with all their might :???: ...I guarantee it will cost producers 10 times more than implementing M-COOL (and when you figure in the whole building of a new government bureaucracy to operate and oversee it- the cost could be much more) - and will guarantee the consumer absolutely no more traceback as the plan is to allow the Packers to throw away the tag at the kill floor door.....

Since we had a gift certificate that was given to us as an anniversary gift--I would have bought a couple hundred dollars of beef products off that Schwann's man if he could have guaranteed he wasn't selling me Mexican or Canadian beef- but since neither he, nor the district rep could, the wife spent it on fish...

OT, you are absolutely wrong about what NCBA is doing re. M-ID, as usual for you.

When government (and worldwide industry and consumers) said M-ID WAS going to happen, NCBA members were determined to have a hand in HOW it would happen and assure that it would be something cattle producer members could handle and benefit from.

The current proposal by NCBA and others is to have it be done by a COALITION of producers of the animals affected, not by additional government bureaucracy, in order to keep the costs as low as possible, and to allow the producers to control and gain benefits from such identification, beyone the government security use of the ID.

MRJ

MRJ- NCBA like USDA are now on about Plan #3 after catching so much flack for their first tries at attempting to install the largest Orwellian type seizure of individual and states rights ever conducted in this country-- Now they use only the "voluntary" word, but the published rules say it will be voluntary unless they don't have 100% compliance by 2009-- Nothing is 100%- so that means it is still mandatory... Just more USDA/NCBA doubletalk...

NCBA and USDA were coconspiring to put the entire ID system under NCBA's control- which would have been a huge power and profit source for NCBA- until many animal owners out there saw thru the plot and shot there plan down...

But NCBA in their joint venture with Allflex and database ventures will still profit greatly from the M- ID system- as usual NCBA is again looking first at how they can rake in the profits, and leaving representing cattleman in the background.... :roll:

And as long as NCBA/USDA proceed with their mandatory program- no Packer/retailer/exporter will pay any real premiums's for identified cattle, knowing they can just wait until 2009 and the USDA/NCBA will mandate it and they can get all the sourced beef they want for no extra cost-- again putting all the cost on the producers...THANKS NCBA :wink:

 

[Sandhusker]

MRJ, "And you want a label all USA RAISED beef and make the rest of us suffer the consequences for those who fail to properly manage their cattle??? "

I guess not labeling and making us suffer the consequences of producers all over the world is a better alternative? :shock: Do you trust Mexican, Nicaraguan, Honduran, etc... producers more than US producers? Do I need to remind you yet again that producers in CAFTA countries are using drugs that are ILLEGAL here?

 

[mrj]

I think some of you are taking too narrow a view of what a USA label would mean. Taste is not the only reason. Safety is a big reason as well.

We've spent millions if not billions on beef safety in this country. For us to not label beef produced under the system that we've bought would be a huge waste of time, money, and effort. We just as well never of even bothered. Judging by the growth in organic/natural product, safety is a concern for consumers.

We currently have trading partners that use drugs on their cattle that are illegal to use here. They're illegal here for a reason. Without COOL, our customers take the chance of eathing tainted beef. Is that to our advantage?

I also don't trust all other countries to deliver a safe product. Some of our trading partners that sell us beef are third-world. For instance, how many of us here would knowingly pay the same price for hamburger from Mexico as hamburger from the US?

When are you going to present factual evidence that there is beef coming into the USA with residues of any illegal drugs?

What is there in a generic "USA BEEF" label that adds one thing to the safety of beef? Trace-back, which you anti-packer crowd woould not accept in your COOL law deception of consumers, would have added the possibility of at least finding the source of food safety problems, but you kept that out of the law.

MRJ

 

[mrj]

Soap- You are right- times are changing...To me its a sad day when I see cattleman/ranchers helping/promoting the beef industry to deceive, defraud, and flat out lie to consumers....Pretty well shows you where the world is going...

The old ranchers that formed NCBA (NCA) did so to fight against Packer fraud/corruption...The ranchers and NCBA of today want to crawl into bed with it....

You should understand, OT, that those guys back in the "good old days" organized first to fight rustlers, then ALL the other problems affecting cattle producers.

NCBA does a great job of that to this very day.

The fact that you disagree with a few things NCBA member cattle producers do, or ways of doing them does not make NCBA bad or wrong in any way!

In a civilized organization there is room for disagreement. People can work through it unless they quit or go out and form a new organization built on the type of mis-information and deception of people you and a few others continue to spout.

MRJ

 

[Anonymous]

Soap: "You know, SH, we have had a fairly lively discussion on this thread. We are not all agreeing, but everyone has disagreed with civility and respect until you got on. You are a decent fine fellow in real life. Why can't you be that kind of a person on the bull session?"

You call OT's allegation of the organization you support as "crawling in bed with the packers" civility?

It's amazing how it's always my response to these allegations that is deemed "uncivil" as opposed to the allegation that elicited the response.

To answer your question directly, I have a very low tolerance for lies and deception and chickensh*t comments like NCBA "crawling in bed with the packers" just because NCBA chooses to not support the allegations against the packing industry that are not based in fact.

You choose to ignore these baseless allegations and move on and I choose to call "bullsh*t" and counter these attacks. If you don't like my responses, don't read them. I'll continue to post as I see fit because I really don't care what anyone thinks of me personally. If I was worried about that, I'd be blaming packers right along with them.

Carry on!


~SH~

 

[mrj]

Soap- Your so hung up on the cost of COOL- What do you think the cost of M-ID will be that NCBA is pushing thru with all their might :???: ...I guarantee it will cost producers 10 times more than implementing M-COOL (and when you figure in the whole building of a new government bureaucracy to operate and oversee it- the cost could be much more) - and will guarantee the consumer absolutely no more traceback as the plan is to allow the Packers to throw away the tag at the kill floor door.....

Since we had a gift certificate that was given to us as an anniversary gift--I would have bought a couple hundred dollars of beef products off that Schwann's man if he could have guaranteed he wasn't selling me Mexican or Canadian beef- but since neither he, nor the district rep could, the wife spent it on fish...

OT, you are absolutely wrong about what NCBA is doing re. M-ID, as usual for you.

When government (and worldwide industry and consumers) said M-ID WAS going to happen, NCBA members were determined to have a hand in HOW it would happen and assure that it would be something cattle producer members could handle and benefit from.

The current proposal by NCBA and others is to have it be done by a COALITION of producers of the animals affected, not by additional government bureaucracy, in order to keep the costs as low as possible, and to allow the producers to control and gain benefits from such identification, beyone the government security use of the ID.

MRJ

MRJ- NCBA like USDA are now on about Plan #3 after catching so much flack for their first tries at attempting to install the largest Orwellian type seizure of individual and states rights ever conducted in this country-- Now they use only the "voluntary" word, but the published rules say it will be voluntary unless they don't have 100% compliance by 2009-- Nothing is 100%- so that means it is still mandatory... Just more USDA/NCBA doubletalk...

NCBA and USDA were coconspiring to put the entire ID system under NCBA's control- which would have been a huge power and profit source for NCBA- until many animal owners out there saw thru the plot and shot there plan down...

But NCBA in their joint venture with Allflex and database ventures will still profit greatly from the M- ID system- as usual NCBA is again looking first at how they can rake in the profits, and leaving representing cattleman in the background.... :roll:

And as long as NCBA/USDA proceed with their mandatory program- no Packer/retailer/exporter will pay any real premiums's for identified cattle, knowing they can just wait until 2009 and the USDA/NCBA will mandate it and they can get all the sourced beef they want for no extra cost-- again putting all the cost on the producers...THANKS NCBA :wink:

OT, you must be listening to Derry Brownfield and the other Luddites too much if you believe half of the spin you put on this subject!

What can you cite to verify your statements here? It certainly isn't NCBA that is in "conspiracy" mode. Look into a mirror!

Is Allflex going to be the ONLY source for tags?

It would be fine with me if NCBA made a bit of "profit" off selling tags to buyers willing and proud of their association with that company!

NCBA members will assure their association represents us well on all the issues we are concerned about, thank you!

Such a rich fantasy life you enjoy must take lots of time away from productive efforts on your ranch! Who does your work, anyway?

MRJ

 

[Anonymous]

OT, you are absolutely wrong about what NCBA is doing re. M-ID, as usual for you.

When government (and worldwide industry and consumers) said M-ID WAS going to happen, NCBA members were determined to have a hand in HOW it would happen and assure that it would be something cattle producer members could handle and benefit from.

The current proposal by NCBA and others is to have it be done by a COALITION of producers of the animals affected, not by additional government bureaucracy, in order to keep the costs as low as possible, and to allow the producers to control and gain benefits from such identification, beyone the government security use of the ID.

MRJ

MRJ- NCBA like USDA are now on about Plan #3 after catching so much flack for their first tries at attempting to install the largest Orwellian type seizure of individual and states rights ever conducted in this country-- Now they use only the "voluntary" word, but the published rules say it will be voluntary unless they don't have 100% compliance by 2009-- Nothing is 100%- so that means it is still mandatory... Just more USDA/NCBA doubletalk...

NCBA and USDA were coconspiring to put the entire ID system under NCBA's control- which would have been a huge power and profit source for NCBA- until many animal owners out there saw thru the plot and shot there plan down...

But NCBA in their joint venture with Allflex and database ventures will still profit greatly from the M- ID system- as usual NCBA is again looking first at how they can rake in the profits, and leaving representing cattleman in the background.... :roll:

And as long as NCBA/USDA proceed with their mandatory program- no Packer/retailer/exporter will pay any real premiums's for identified cattle, knowing they can just wait until 2009 and the USDA/NCBA will mandate it and they can get all the sourced beef they want for no extra cost-- again putting all the cost on the producers...THANKS NCBA :wink:

OT, you must be listening to Derry Brownfield and the other Luddites too much if you believe half of the spin you put on this subject!

What can you cite to verify your statements here? It certainly isn't NCBA that is in "conspiracy" mode. Look into a mirror!

Is Allflex going to be the ONLY source for tags?

It would be fine with me if NCBA made a bit of "profit" off selling tags to buyers willing and proud of their association with that company!

NCBA members will assure their association represents us well on all the issues we are concerned about, thank you!

Such a rich fantasy life you enjoy must take lots of time away from productive efforts on your ranch! Who does your work, anyway?

MRJ

Maxine- I don't get old Derry up here- kind of wish I did- be another viewpoint to hear......But you don't have to listen to anyone in particular to see where NCBA/USDA are heading...Anyone that follows the moves and back dooring can see it...

Thanks for the concern about the ranch Maxine, but I'm and it are doing plumb fine....

Where are you off to for the next 3-4 weeks- taking a cruise? I would suggest Alaska or Greenland....

 

[Anonymous]

OT: "NCBA like USDA are now on about Plan #3 after catching so much flack for their first tries at attempting to install the largest Orwellian type seizure of individual and states rights ever conducted in this country-- Now they use only the "voluntary" word, but the published rules say it will be voluntary unless they don't have 100% compliance by 2009-- Nothing is 100%- so that means it is still mandatory... Just more USDA/NCBA doubletalk... "

I thought you said consumers had the right to know where their beef comes from??? How can you do that without an ID system? Oh, that's not what you meant huh??? LOL! You mean that USDA is supposed to figure out how to trace Canadian and Mexican cattle into the 300 individual packages of beef they may become without a valid traceback system and just trust the packers word for it huh?

Tell me Mr. former law enforcement officer, how do you enforce a country of origin labeling law without a traceback system? How does a USDA traceback enforcer know that a package of beef originated from a Canadian cow if there is no enforceable traceback system??? Aren't you the one who doesn't trust packers and now you are suddenly going to trust them to correctly label beef as to it's country of origin without a valid traceback system??

See what a hypocrite you are?

Show me where NCBA ever supported a "mandatory" ID program OT! Bring it!

OT: "NCBA and USDA were coconspiring to put the entire ID system under NCBA's control- which would have been a huge power and profit source for NCBA- until many animal owners out there saw thru the plot and shot there plan down..."

PROVE IT!!!

That's nothing more than cheap talk unsupported by fact.

OT: "And as long as NCBA/USDA proceed with their mandatory program- no Packer/retailer/exporter will pay any real premiums's for identified cattle, knowing they can just wait until 2009 and the USDA/NCBA will mandate it and they can get all the sourced beef they want for no extra cost-- again putting all the cost on the producers...THANKS NCBA"

I thought you said consumers had a right to know where their beef comes from??? Now you are back peddling on the requirements to do just that. You're such a hypocrite. Source Verification is already occurring willingly.

Show me where the NCBA supports a "MANDATORY" ID program.


~SH~

 

[Sandhusker]

MRJ, "When are you going to present factual evidence that there is beef coming into the USA with residues of any illegal drugs?"

Would you care, MRJ? I mean, really? If the NCBA hasn't said anything about it, do you really care?

Here's one example; Ditrim is an antibiotic that is forbidden to use in food animals here in the US - yet it is routinely used in CAFTA countries. Now please don't ask me to prove any residues from antibiotics.

 

[mrj]

MRJ- NCBA like USDA are now on about Plan #3 after catching so much flack for their first tries at attempting to install the largest Orwellian type seizure of individual and states rights ever conducted in this country-- Now they use only the "voluntary" word, but the published rules say it will be voluntary unless they don't have 100% compliance by 2009-- Nothing is 100%- so that means it is still mandatory... Just more USDA/NCBA doubletalk...

NCBA and USDA were coconspiring to put the entire ID system under NCBA's control- which would have been a huge power and profit source for NCBA- until many animal owners out there saw thru the plot and shot there plan down...

But NCBA in their joint venture with Allflex and database ventures will still profit greatly from the M- ID system- as usual NCBA is again looking first at how they can rake in the profits, and leaving representing cattleman in the background.... :roll:

And as long as NCBA/USDA proceed with their mandatory program- no Packer/retailer/exporter will pay any real premiums's for identified cattle, knowing they can just wait until 2009 and the USDA/NCBA will mandate it and they can get all the sourced beef they want for no extra cost-- again putting all the cost on the producers...THANKS NCBA :wink:

OT, you must be listening to Derry Brownfield and the other Luddites too much if you believe half of the spin you put on this subject!

What can you cite to verify your statements here? It certainly isn't NCBA that is in "conspiracy" mode. Look into a mirror!

Is Allflex going to be the ONLY source for tags?

It would be fine with me if NCBA made a bit of "profit" off selling tags to buyers willing and proud of their association with that company!

NCBA members will assure their association represents us well on all the issues we are concerned about, thank you!

Such a rich fantasy life you enjoy must take lots of time away from productive efforts on your ranch! Who does your work, anyway?

MRJ

Maxine- I don't get old Derry up here- kind of wish I did- be another viewpoint to hear......But you don't have to listen to anyone in particular to see where NCBA/USDA are heading...Anyone that follows the moves and back dooring can see it...

Thanks for the concern about the ranch Maxine, but I'm and it are doing plumb fine....

Where are you off to for the next 3-4 weeks- taking a cruise? I would suggest Alaska or Greenland....

Ot, you probably wouldn't learn much from listening to Brownfield. You appear to be of like minds, and his guests are sound like clones, mostly promoting conspiracy theories and doom and gloom to help D.B. sell his advertisers' gold stocks, etc.

Thanks for the travel tips. Sure wish it was for 3-4 weeks, but will be a quick trip and we travel cheap. Don't have relatives in Alaska or Greenland that I know of, darn the luck!

Would you please do the readers a favor and present SOME semblance of FACTUAL evidence of NCBA doing "back door" deals? It isn't nice to make such claims when you have no basis in fact and are just saying things attempting to do harm to an organization competing with your group of choice.

MRJ

 

[Mike]

Private Sector Livestock ID System Pushed

Tulsa World, Okla., August 06, 2005


by Angel Riggs


Aug. 6--OKLAHOMA CITY -- The national program aimed at identifying and tracking livestock could be better run by the private sector than by the government, a spokesman for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association said Friday.



"We thought Animal ID and the creation of the Animal ID system by the USDA was something the USDA could not do as well as we could do," said Jay Truitt, vice president of government affairs for the association, whose state branch is the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association.

Concerns facing the industry were addressed during the OCA's 53rd annual convention by Truitt along with U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., and Chuck Lambert, deputy under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The National Animal Identification Program is aimed at making it possible to track an animal's history within 48 hours by keeping tabs on its travels. Each time an animal goes to a new ranch or sale barn, for example, that property's identification number and the animal's own number would be entered into a national database.

The government is already issuing the property numbers, called premises ID.

The program is voluntary now, but the USDA plans to make it mandatory in 2009.

Truitt said that by privatizing the system, the entire process could be implemented more quickly and for less money.

Congress and the USDA are considering the proposal.

Lucas said he's looking at both sides.

He said private industry may be able to contain costs and respond more quickly to changing circumstances.

In addition, he said, the industry has a track record of compiling information for the government. The OCA maintains the state's brand records, for example.

However, Lucas questioned whether one private group can address all the needs of the various industry groups that will be involved in Animal ID. While cattle are first in line to receive ID numbers, the program will eventually be extended to all livestock, including horses, pigs and sheep.

"The case is out there," Lucas said. "The ball is in the USDA's court."

The national cattle association says it will test its system in October, and that it can have an Animal ID program up and running by January.

"The USDA is open to discussion of those alternative systems," said Lambert, the USDA official.

Private industry has expressed concerns that information about ranchers' livestock contained in a government database could be made public.

While it's true that a mandatory system would be susceptible to Freedom of Information Act requests, information contained in a voluntary system is not, Lambert said. Exempting data on a mandatory list from FOIA requests would take an act of Congress, he said.

Other issues the group discussed included the status of reopening Japan to meat from the United States. The door to the $1.5 billion beef market has been shut since the United States' first discovery, in late 2003, of a cow with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease. Currently, Australia is filling the void in Japan, Lambert said.

The United States and Japan have agreed to the resumption of U.S. beef shipments from cattle younger than 20 months and are negotiating how to determine the age of cattle. Leaders from both countries are set to meet in September and will discuss BSE, Lambert said.

Also, the country's heightened surveillance for BSE cases will continue for the "foreseeable future, not indefinitely," Lambert said. The country has tested more than 426,000 high-risk cattle since June 2004. he said.

In his remarks, Lucas complimented American consumers for calmly handling this summer's BSE news reports.

-----

 

[Anonymous]

What's your point Mike?

You think NCBA's willingness to comply with USDA's recommended mandatory ID program means that NCBA supported "MANDATORY" ID??

Creating an illusion?

Correct me if I'm wrong but NCBA supports a "VOLUNTARY" ID program, not mandatory.

Government mandates are R-CALF's agenda.



~SH~

 

[Tam]

I think some of you are taking too narrow a view of what a USA label would mean. Taste is not the only reason. Safety is a big reason as well.

We've spent millions if not billions on beef safety in this country. For us to not label beef produced under the system that we've bought would be a huge waste of time, money, and effort. We just as well never of even bothered. Judging by the growth in organic/natural product, safety is a concern for consumers.

We currently have trading partners that use drugs on their cattle that are illegal to use here. They're illegal here for a reason. Without COOL, our customers take the chance of eathing tainted beef. Is that to our advantage?

I also don't trust all other countries to deliver a safe product. Some of our trading partners that sell us beef are third-world. For instance, how many of us here would knowingly pay the same price for hamburger from Mexico as hamburger from the US?

Gee Sandhusker here you are again spouting how you have spent millions if not billion to make sure your beef is safe. Now tell us do you trust the agency IE the USDA that was in charge of the firewalls and safeguards and the millions and billion you spent to insure that beef is SAFE? Do you trust the packers that process your beef? I thought R-CALF thought they were all a bunch of Greedy SOB's that didn't care about food safety. If you don't trust them why should the US consumers that will be looking at that US beef label. You can't have it both ways you either spent the money and those firewalls have the ability to protect consumers and your herd from BSE native or imported or you wasted that money and your firewalls can't protect your consumers or herd from any of it. Which is it? and should the US consumer trust your beef? :?

I trust Tyson and the USDA more than I trust Mexico.

Sandhusker you are diverting you never answered my question Do you trust the USDA and the packers in the US? as they are the ones in charge of processing that World Safest Beef you and R-CALF claim the US has ??????? If you don't fully trust them then how and why should the US consumers trust you when you say you have the WORLD SAFEST BEEF??????? :?

 

[Sandhusker]

Tam, when have I ever said the US had the world's safest beef?

 

[mrj]

MRJ, "When are you going to present factual evidence that there is beef coming into the USA with residues of any illegal drugs?"

Would you care, MRJ? I mean, really? If the NCBA hasn't said anything about it, do you really care?

Here's one example; Ditrim is an antibiotic that is forbidden to use in food animals here in the US - yet it is routinely used in CAFTA countries. Now please don't ask me to prove any residues from antibiotics.

Sandhusker, your attempt to denigrate me personally by implying that I probably do not care if there are illegal substances in beef is a cheap shot, at best.

There have been many times when I have written about and promoted beef safety on this very site. There were also years when I served on the SD Beef Council, and on one or more committees of SD Cattlemen and/or NCBA involving working to improve beef safety in various ways.

What, specifically, have you done to advance beef safety?

Why is Ditrim illegal in the USA, and do you have evidence that it actually is used on cattle which would be sent to the USA?

Then, there is the question of illegal uses of legal or illegal drugs in the USA, including ignoring withdrawal times. You have no facts to back your allegations that imported beef is less safe than beef produced in the USA.

Never have I said that I want imported beef to be less rigorously monitored for food safety than US beef is. I want ALL food to be as safe as it can be and still be affordable to the majority of our population.

Wouldn't it be counterproductive to regulate food safety to the point it becomes priced so high many people would go hungry?

MRJ

This issue is more complex than simple sound bites for promotion of your anti-NCBA agenda.

 

[Soapweed]

[ If you don't like my responses, don't read them.
Carry on!


~SH~

Guess what, I haven't read your stuff for many moons, but since I initiated this post, I'd kind of like to keep up with it. Your pathetic attitude has given R-Calf more new members than any recruiting agent possibly could. I do hope you are happy.

 

[Tam]

Tam, when have I ever said the US had the world's safest beef?

Lets see, Sandhusker expects to sell US raised labeled beef to US consumers BUT the BEEF Organization he belongs to are in Federal court claiming all beef coming from a country affect with BSE is unsafe, only to have BSE found in their own herd. They claim theydon't trust the USDA that are in charge of the safety of US beef that in now affected by BSE . They also don't trust the packers that process that beef. If that is not bad enough, Now he is telling us that he himself doesn't agree with his own organizations statements about the US have the WORLD SAFEST BEEF.

Great sales pitch Sandhusker if I were a US beef consumer I would just jump at the chance to by a piece of meat with that label, verses a country that has some trust within the industry and credibility with the rest of the world on how they are handling things!!!!!!!!!

BTW if you don't think the US has the safest Beef in the World can you tell us just what the risk is to consumers if they eat your beef? You belong to an organization that expects definitive answers, so tell us how low is low when it comes to US BSE?