This is good.
It's about time that R-CALF draws a line in the sand on their positions. Can't have little Sandcheska trying to deceive readers into believing that R-CALF didn't want a "burdensome traceback" as opposed to not wanting to be "burdened with traceback" when they've proven they don't want traceback period.
Members overwhelmingly (3,815-22) instructed the board to “take appropriate action to challenge and stop USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) 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 (OTM) of age, from Japan or any other BSE-affected country.”
SDCA supports a similar policy and I support it.
Regarding animal identification, members approved by a vote of 3,628-183 the following resolution: “R-CALF USA opposes a federally mandated national animal identification program. R-CALF USA opposes a totally privatized, centralized database and/or a federally centralized database. R-CALF USA supports a voluntary animal-health traceback system that ensures the protection of individual data, and a system that is compatible with the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). R-CALF USA shall continue to work with the federal government, state governments and Tribal governments, as well as the industry, to determine the feasibility, functionality, and benefit to the U.S. cattle industry of an animal-health traceback system that incorporates existing systems, such as brand programs and the Intertribal Cattle Connect program, and vests the responsibilities and authority under the auspices of state animal health officials and Tribal governments.
I also oppose a national ID system. Let the consumers drive it and the free enterprise system run it and those who want to refuse to participate can receive less money for their cattle. Nobody should be forced to participate in source verification against their will.
R-CALF USA often has been mischaracterized as being opposed to the Beef Checkoff. However, the organization’s only Beef Checkoff policy was established back in 2000, which states U.S. cattle producers should have the right to periodically vote on the Beef Checkoff.
Their most outspoken advocates, the Livestock Marketing Police, tested the constitutionality of the beef checkoff in a court of law and lost.
R-CALF USA established a Checkoff Committee in January that proposed the following resolution, which passed 3,734-41: “Whereas, R-CALF USA seeks to provide the motivation, information and support necessary to our members so they can become more involved in influencing decisions regarding the Beef Checkoff, and Whereas, the vast majority of dollars collected by the Beef Checkoff comes directly from U.S. cattle producers, Therefore, be it resolved, R-CALF USA recommends the following: 1) All R-CALF USA affiliate organizations seek approval as “qualified” organizations or associations in their respective states, nominate from within their membership and actively promote those nominees for appointment to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB); 2) Those affiliate organizations also work diligently to obtain seats on their respective state beef council by providing candidates for appointment or election; 3) Be it further resolved, R-CALF USA seeks appropriate changes to the Beef Promotion Act and Order that would allow Beef Checkoff dollars collected from U.S. cattle producers to be used to promote products that are specifically born, raised and processed in the United States.
What's so ridiculous about this resolution is that there was nothing stopping any of them from being involved in the beef checkoff now. Hell Johnny Smith with the Livestock Marketing Police opposes the beef checkoff and he served on the board. What more proof does anyone need that the beef board does not discriminate?
The other thing that is so ridiculous about this resolution is the fact that R-CALF opposes an ID system and they prohibited "M"ID from "M"COOL making it unenforceable yet they want the retail beef industry to somehow identify the 5% sliver of foreign beef that ends up at the retail level without a traceback system? Real wisdom there folks!
Every time I see a "USA BEEF" bumper sticker, I'd like to have one that says, "95% OF THE BEEF AT THE RETAIL LEVEL IS US BEEF, SO WHAT'S YOUR POINT?????" Symbolism over substance!
A second Beef Checkoff-related resolution, approved with a vote of 3,615-142, states: “Be it resolved: R-CALF USA will lead a nationwide referendum to amend the National Beef Promotion Act to make such Acts responsive to grassroots family cattle producers. This is NOT an effort to kill the program, but rather an effort to make the program better. Specifically, R-CALF USA is suggesting the Checkoff program be amended to include the following: 1) Checkoff dollars may be used to promote USA beef from cattle born, raised, and processed in the United States of America; 2) A periodic vote on the Checkoff program (every 5 years); 3) Prohibit any one cattle organization from serving as the “prime contractor” for the program, but allow all cattle organizations to participate in approved projects on a case-by-case basis; 4) Reform the Cattlemen’s Beef Board to reflect proportional representation from all national cattle organizations; 5) Allow Checkoff expenditures to promote branded products from small and large packing entities; 6) Provide that 70% of all funds collected remain in the state where collected, and 30% to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board; 7) Reset the date for cattle organizations to be able to bid on Checkoff contracts from 1985 to the date the Act is amended.
Why would the beef checkoff NOT be responsible to grass roots producers IF YOU'VE JUST ENCOURAGED YOUR MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE ON THE BOARD???
Can't identify beef that was "born, raised, and processed in the US" without the traceback system that you oppose. CATCH 22!
Fine, have a periodic vote that tells you that 70% of the cattle producers understand that the price of beef affects the price of cattle. Whatever!
Any cattle organization can compete for checkoff dollars. Hey, wait a minute, didn't Leo claim R-CALF was not interested in contracting for checkoff dollars??? What happened to that? I'm going to have to see if I can find that contradiction.
The beef checkoff has to promote beef, not individual branded beef programs. A national checkoff can't play favoratism to certain branded beef products. Ridiculous. Of course everyone would want everyone else's money promoting their product. GEE, WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT????
Why would you spend 70% of the beef checkoff dollars promoting beef TO THOSE WHO EAT BEEF???? How stupid is that????
Members also instructed the board to “establish a standing committee to help protect and preserve private property rights,” with a vote of 3,587-101.
That's good. Eminent domain should be front and center.
An Endangered Species Act resolution also was passed with a vote of 3,575-149, which states: “Whereas, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation amending the ESA to offer greater incentives to landowners to participate in species recovery; and Whereas, the House legislation provides for compensation to property owners to aide the recovery of species; and Whereas the House legislature calls for better science in listing species and development of recovery plans; and Whereas, the U.S. Senate is currently considering updating and modernizing the ESA; Now therefore be it resolved that R-CALF USA strongly supports amending the ESA to advance protections of private property rights, insuring that listing and recovery decisions are based on credible science and providing financial incentives for property owners to participate in recovery of species; and Be it further resolved that R-CALF USA strongly encourages the U.S. Senate to go forward with updating and modernizing the ESA.”
WONDERFUL! AGREE 100%! This is the best place that R-CALF could focus their energy and actually do some good. This is a real problem that could have a bigger impact on ranching than packer blaming conspiracy theories and imports.
On another animal-health matter, the following resolution was approved with a vote of 3,562-74: “Be it resolved, that R-CALF USA requests that APHIS and APHIS Wildlife Services look into the cause and spread and distribution of neospora caninum infection in cattle and/or livestock.
Great!
I'm glad to see R-CALF focus on private property rights and the ESA. That is where they can actually do some good if they can stop their NCBA blaming, packer blaming, USDA blaming, import blaming, and GIPSA blaming long enough to remain focused on an issue that really matters.
~SH~