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NAIS takes a blow

Sandhusker

Well-known member
Reggie,
Vindicated: To provide justification or support for:

This ruling provides justification for being against NAIS. It was expected by those who don't have their lips up the rears of USDA/AMI and who don't take their word as gospel. There's a whole lot of other problems with NAIS as well and I hope this deals the program a fatal blow. It's been misrepresented from the start. Mellow out.

When did R-CALF fail and/or collapse and when has NCBA changed?
 

mrj

Well-known member
Thanks very much for your reasonable and informative comments, Reggie.

I would GUESS it more likely that satisfied NCBA members sharing their reasons for belonging is the major reason for gaining more new members.

There may have been some who bolted to join Pat Goggins organization when it formed. I have no idea if any of them have returned. They most likely would go to the newer, gentler R-CALF clone, USCA.

Maybe it is more that NCBA is a broad and diverse group of cattle producers, and some people just cannot have it any way but their own way. Sometimes it requires giving up a personal agenda which doesn't appeal to the majority, to make NCBA work.

I agree totally with your comments re. NAIS, except that I'm not sure we will be in any more danger of outbreaks of disease with the Plum Island facility onshore. There were incidents of workers there carelessly going out into the public without proper sanitizing procedures, which apparently has been tightened up considerably with realities of international terrorism reinforcing the dangers of a disease outbreak in this country.

mrj
 

Reggie

Active member
Beyond what you've pointed out about the Plum Island lab relocation, there was a monkey that escaped several years ago from a similar lab in California. The monkey used a sewer pipe as his route to freedom. And then there was the lab worker that contracted one of the diseases being handled in a Texas lab. I guess I like the idea of those horrific diseases being contained on an island rather than in the middle of cattle country. Why take the risk?

NCBA has made an effort to repackage itself and I think many appreciate that. It's a kinder,gentler organization these days much of the time. Just when I see some improvement however, I read things like NCBA hooking up with the environmental activist groups on matters like revamping energy policy at the national level. Don't get me wrong, I don't have any gripe with an outfit teaming up with any group that can help achieve the goals being sought mutually. But, I can remember the day when NCBA folks threw such a fit about other organizations linking up with consumer groups to achieve COOL. It's the hypocrisy that bothers me.

R-CALF's implosion has left it an empty shell of an organization that has faded to a loud few. When I talk to other producers in the country what I hear is that they're sick and tired of R-CALF's proclivity for the "USDA is the enemy/cut the head off the beast" non-stop radical rhetoric. Little wonder the leadership refuses to release audited membership numbers or indepedent line item financial audits. I also heard that another board member resigned right after the February convention and the past director from that region was quickly appointed to fill that seat. This happened after the board was forced to sign confidentiality agreements or be ostracized and left out of the loop, which doesn't exactly provide members adequate representation. Again, it's the hypocrisy that bothers me.

As you well know from past history, taking care of members, giving them transparency, eliminating secrecy and letting them have a voice makes an organization strong. George Swan had a good grasp of that theory. So did Pat, the old exec for the SD Beef Industry Council.
 

PORKER

Well-known member
Animal ID and the National School Lunch Program including language to provide market-based incentives to strengthen both the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and the National School Lunch Program. This proposal would increase participation in the animal ID program. Also, in a case such as the historic Hallmark/Westland beef recall earlier this year, we would know about the history of the animals involved which could help address public health concerns.

Beginning with the 2010 school year (that starts in July 2009), the bill includes language that requires USDA to purchase for the School Lunch Program meat products that are derived from livestock premises registered with National Animal Identification System.

Because AMS is a major purchaser of meat products through the School Lunch Program, this proposal would generate significant market-based incentives to strengthen the department’s voluntary animal ID system and support livestock producers and other premises that signup for USDA’s system.

Importantly, the bill’s purchasing requirements will not take effect until July 2009, the start of the next school year and over a year from now. This will provide time for schools, food vendors, and the livestock industry to prepare the upcoming higher standards.

Congresswoman Rosa Delarno
 

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