Random Musings From A Random Mind

[Soapweed]

This doesn't have anything to do with anything, other than going along with the topic of "random musings from a random mind".

Consumers can be pretty fussy, or not, depending on demand or desire. A kid at the dinner table can be quite finicky until hunger sets in, then the origin of the food doesn't matter quite so much. A bucket calf misses his own momma's milk for awhile, but eventually that old powdered stuff out of a sack looks pretty good to them (after hunger drives them to it). My own experience of hating creamed peas comes to mind. I detested that particular vegetable until one time at the age of ten, a long day in the saddle made me hungry enough to try it. It has since become one of my favorite side dishes.

The lah-dee-dahers in New York with their exquisite luxury homes have bedbugs like the common folk. A regular old unmade bed on a saggy mattress, without bedbugs, would look pretty good to some of them at the moment.

Grass is another consideration. I'll have to admit, I sure don't know the names of all of our Sandhills grasses. My cows don't know the names of the grasses either, but they know when a pasture has grass in it and when it doesn't. I have learned by watching the cows and the grass, when the proper time is to move them. Some of the scientific expert grass gurus haven't figured this out.

There is really no point to all of this rambling, except the fact that if a person or animal is hungry enough they will eat whatever is available. Country of Origin Labeling means very little when the gastic juices kick in.

 

[Econ101]

This doesn't have anything to do with anything, other than going along with the topic of "random musings from a random mind".

Consumers can be pretty fussy, or not, depending on demand or desire. A kid at the dinner table can be quite finicky until hunger sets in, then the origin of the food doesn't matter quite so much. A bucket calf misses his own momma's milk for awhile, but eventually that old powdered stuff out of a sack looks pretty good to them (after hunger drives them to it). My own experience of hating creamed peas comes to mind. I detested that particular vegetable until one time at the age of ten, a long day in the saddle made me hungry enough to try it. It has since become one of my favorite side dishes.

The lah-dee-dahers in New York with their exquisite luxury homes have bedbugs like the common folk. A regular old unmade bed on a saggy mattress, without bedbugs, would look pretty good to some of them at the moment.

Grass is another consideration. I'll have to admit, I sure don't know the names of all of our Sandhills grasses. My cows don't know the names of the grasses either, but they know when a pasture has grass in it and when it doesn't. I have learned by watching the cows and the grass, when the proper time is to move them. Some of the scientific expert grass gurus haven't figured this out.

There is really no point to all of this rambling, except the fact that if a person or animal is hungry enough they will eat whatever is available. Country of Origin Labeling means very little when the gastic juices kick in.

Soapweed, I would rather watch the animals and take care of them too. Unfortunately, there is more to it than that if you want the value of your decisions to come to you instead of someone else.

 

[mrj]

This doesn't have anything to do with anything, other than going along with the topic of "random musings from a random mind".

Consumers can be pretty fussy, or not, depending on demand or desire. A kid at the dinner table can be quite finicky until hunger sets in, then the origin of the food doesn't matter quite so much. A bucket calf misses his own momma's milk for awhile, but eventually that old powdered stuff out of a sack looks pretty good to them (after hunger drives them to it). My own experience of hating creamed peas comes to mind. I detested that particular vegetable until one time at the age of ten, a long day in the saddle made me hungry enough to try it. It has since become one of my favorite side dishes.

The lah-dee-dahers in New York with their exquisite luxury homes have bedbugs like the common folk. A regular old unmade bed on a saggy mattress, without bedbugs, would look pretty good to some of them at the moment.

Grass is another consideration. I'll have to admit, I sure don't know the names of all of our Sandhills grasses. My cows don't know the names of the grasses either, but they know when a pasture has grass in it and when it doesn't. I have learned by watching the cows and the grass, when the proper time is to move them. Some of the scientific expert grass gurus haven't figured this out.

There is really no point to all of this rambling, except the fact that if a person or animal is hungry enough they will eat whatever is available. Country of Origin Labeling means very little when the gastic juices kick in.

Soapweed, I would rather watch the animals and take care of them too. Unfortunately, there is more to it than that if you want the value of your decisions to come to you instead of someone else.

Econ, I believe Soapweed pointed out when stating "....by watching the cows AND the grass...." that he takes care of both his animals and his grass.

There are quite a number of long-time ranchers who have intuitively done an excellent job of doing that more by the seat of their pants and multi-generations of observing and learning from the condition of the land and the cattle than by any "book learning" they had......in areas where we are fortunate to have wonderful stands of mixed native grasses that were neither over grazed, nor plowed up with resulting damage to the natural grasses and sod.

But I speak only from the cumulative observations of 113 years of experience of three generations of one side or our family and 96 years of three generations on the other side, with both sides still making a living from the land in the less than hospitable environment of western SD.

And I realize there are those with wonderful educations in animal husbandry and plant studies who are doing well also......maybe they did it the easy, faster way, who knows.

More "musings....."

MRJ

 

[DiamondSCattleCo]

There are quite a number of long-time ranchers who have intuitively done an excellent job of doing that more by the seat of their pants and multi-generations of observing and learning from the condition of the land and the cattle than by any "book learning" they had......in areas where we are fortunate to have wonderful stands of mixed native grasses that were neither over grazed, nor plowed up with resulting damage to the natural grasses and sod.

<snip>

And I realize there are those with wonderful educations in animal husbandry and plant studies who are doing well also......maybe they did it the easy, faster way, who knows.

I don't think anyone is ever going to argue that you have to look after your critters and their feed before all else. It doesn't matter how high the market is; if you have junk to ship, you're going to get a junk price.

Unfortunately, the days of the old cowboys who tended to their animals and let business look after itself are quickly going away (much to my dismay). While we're not in to bad a shape up here yet, I've watched some of the old timers profit margins slipping, even though they have incredible animals. Unfortunately, these are going to be the guys who die out first.

Rod

 

[Tam]

Tam, when did consumers ask for CAB?

Quote:
Ag and Consumers Groups say to Bush, "We want COOL" Dec 2003

(Washington, D.C.) A coalition of 166 agriculture and consumer groups representing over 50 million Americans, including R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA), sent a letter to President Bush today stating that a two-year delay of the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) law is not supported by the overwhelming majority of agriculture producers or consumers and urges the President to oppose Congressional efforts to delay country of origin labeling.


Tam, "Someone is lieing here if Sandhusker is right about the US consumer not knowing about imported beef and he is the one demanding M"COOL" Then R-CALF lied for the past 3 years about US consumer demanding M'COOL so they know where their beef comes from. OR Sandhusker lied and the US consumer do know about imported beef and they are choosing to eat beef even though they don't know if the beef they are eating is Imported or not. But trust the USDA is doing their job which is making sure the beef sold in the US is safe whether imported or not."

I don't think anybody is lying, Tam. I think the problem is somebody can't understand what was written or is trying to make something out of nothing. :? I"ll explain it for you. There were 166 groups. The combined membership of those groups is 50 Million.

Sandhusker you said

Tam, I think it's a pretty good bet that most US consumers don't know that we import cattle from Canada or anyplace else.

SO BMR asked you

If they don't know you are importing beef then why are they demanding M'COOL.?

to which you replied

I'M demanding M-COOL

Now I have brought forward snips from several press releases from R-CALF where they are claiming Consumers are demanding it.

so the domestic cattle industry can immediately begin meeting consumer demands for origin-verified beef;

U.S. cattle producers and consumers need and deserve COOL immediately and we plan to help them get it,

delay of the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) law is not supported by the overwhelming majority of agriculture producers or consumers

this tool is the one that's most widely supported by consumers and producers alike

"We know that if fully debated in the light of day, COOL will pass because it is popular with the American people."

So I ask you again if they don't know about the imports why are they DEMANDING M"COOL as R-CALF says they are?
You say

There were 166 groups. The combined membership of those groups is 50 Million.

Does R-CALF leadership just demand things on your behalf without asking you about the issue and getting a directive from their memberships of what they want them to do? If these groups represent 50 million do they just demand things on their behalf or do they like most organization and groups ask their membership what they want them to do? If these groups are acting on the concerns of the memberships then a majority of the 50 million must have been consulted about the issues. Which puts your statement about US consumers not know about imports in question.

 

[Sandhusker]

Tam, when did consumers ask for CAB?

Quote:
Ag and Consumers Groups say to Bush, "We want COOL" Dec 2003

(Washington, D.C.) A coalition of 166 agriculture and consumer groups representing over 50 million Americans, including R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA), sent a letter to President Bush today stating that a two-year delay of the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) law is not supported by the overwhelming majority of agriculture producers or consumers and urges the President to oppose Congressional efforts to delay country of origin labeling.


Tam, "Someone is lieing here if Sandhusker is right about the US consumer not knowing about imported beef and he is the one demanding M"COOL" Then R-CALF lied for the past 3 years about US consumer demanding M'COOL so they know where their beef comes from. OR Sandhusker lied and the US consumer do know about imported beef and they are choosing to eat beef even though they don't know if the beef they are eating is Imported or not. But trust the USDA is doing their job which is making sure the beef sold in the US is safe whether imported or not."

I don't think anybody is lying, Tam. I think the problem is somebody can't understand what was written or is trying to make something out of nothing. :? I"ll explain it for you. There were 166 groups. The combined membership of those groups is 50 Million.

Sandhusker you said

Tam, I think it's a pretty good bet that most US consumers don't know that we import cattle from Canada or anyplace else.

SO BMR asked you

If they don't know you are importing beef then why are they demanding M'COOL.?

to which you replied

I'M demanding M-COOL

Now I have brought forward snips from several press releases from R-CALF where they are claiming Consumers are demanding it.

so the domestic cattle industry can immediately begin meeting consumer demands for origin-verified beef;

U.S. cattle producers and consumers need and deserve COOL immediately and we plan to help them get it,

delay of the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) law is not supported by the overwhelming majority of agriculture producers or consumers

this tool is the one that's most widely supported by consumers and producers alike

"We know that if fully debated in the light of day, COOL will pass because it is popular with the American people."

So I ask you again if they don't know about the imports why are they DEMANDING M"COOL as R-CALF says they are?
You say

There were 166 groups. The combined membership of those groups is 50 Million.

Does R-CALF leadership just demand things on your behalf without asking you about the issue and getting a directive from their memberships of what they want them to do? If these groups represent 50 million do they just demand things on their behalf or do they like most organization and groups ask their membership what they want them to do? If these groups are acting on the concerns of the memberships then a majority of the 50 million must have been consulted about the issues. Which puts your statement about US consumers not know about imports in question.

Tell you what, Tam. Maybe you and I should meet at a mall somewhere in suburbia USA and poll consumers. We'll ask them how many countries the US imports beef from. If they guess more than half of actual, I'll pay you $10. If they guess less than half of actual, you pay me $10. Do you think you'll get any of my money?

 

[Tam]

Damn woman, you are too much with the quote boxes

Looks like cutout art.

Sorry Reader but I have learn one thing when responding to an R-CALFer it is hard (not impossible but hard) for them to argue with you when you use R-CALF's own and their own words against them. Either the consumer know and are demanding M'COOL so they know what they are buying like R-CALF says or Sandhusker is right they don't know and R-CALF is just making up the fact the Consumers are supportive, want and are demanding M'COOL. All I would like to know is who is overstating their knowledge of what the US consumers know and want.

 

[Econ101]

Damn woman, you are too much with the quote boxes

Looks like cutout art.

Sorry Reader but I have learn one thing when responding to an R-CALFer it is hard (not impossible but hard) for them to argue with you when you use R-CALF's own and their own words against them. Either the consumer know and are demanding M'COOL so they know what they are buying like R-CALF says or Sandhusker is right they don't know and R-CALF is just making up the fact the Consumers are supportive, want and are demanding M'COOL. All I would like to know is who is overstating their knowledge of what the US consumers know and want.

Tam, you know that the information on consumer's wish to have mcool is obtained through polling. Does polling matter? Why do politicians do it? Can polling show if consumers support something even if they did not know about it before the poll? Of course.

I personally don't think Mcool will hurt Canadian producers. Have you done any polls on the topic? It might help consumers have another tool to differentiate between quality. Isn't that where your "strength" is?

 

[Tam]

Tam, when did consumers ask for CAB?

Quote:
Ag and Consumers Groups say to Bush, "We want COOL" Dec 2003

(Washington, D.C.) A coalition of 166 agriculture and consumer groups representing over 50 million Americans, including R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA), sent a letter to President Bush today stating that a two-year delay of the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) law is not supported by the overwhelming majority of agriculture producers or consumers and urges the President to oppose Congressional efforts to delay country of origin labeling.


Tam, "Someone is lieing here if Sandhusker is right about the US consumer not knowing about imported beef and he is the one demanding M"COOL" Then R-CALF lied for the past 3 years about US consumer demanding M'COOL so they know where their beef comes from. OR Sandhusker lied and the US consumer do know about imported beef and they are choosing to eat beef even though they don't know if the beef they are eating is Imported or not. But trust the USDA is doing their job which is making sure the beef sold in the US is safe whether imported or not."

I don't think anybody is lying, Tam. I think the problem is somebody can't understand what was written or is trying to make something out of nothing. :? I"ll explain it for you. There were 166 groups. The combined membership of those groups is 50 Million.

Sandhusker you said

Tam, I think it's a pretty good bet that most US consumers don't know that we import cattle from Canada or anyplace else.

SO BMR asked you

If they don't know you are importing beef then why are they demanding M'COOL.?

to which you replied

I'M demanding M-COOL

Now I have brought forward snips from several press releases from R-CALF where they are claiming Consumers are demanding it.

so the domestic cattle industry can immediately begin meeting consumer demands for origin-verified beef;

U.S. cattle producers and consumers need and deserve COOL immediately and we plan to help them get it,

delay of the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) law is not supported by the overwhelming majority of agriculture producers or consumers

this tool is the one that's most widely supported by consumers and producers alike

"We know that if fully debated in the light of day, COOL will pass because it is popular with the American people."

So I ask you again if they don't know about the imports why are they DEMANDING M"COOL as R-CALF says they are?
You say

There were 166 groups. The combined membership of those groups is 50 Million.

Does R-CALF leadership just demand things on your behalf without asking you about the issue and getting a directive from their memberships of what they want them to do? If these groups represent 50 million do they just demand things on their behalf or do they like most organization and groups ask their membership what they want them to do? If these groups are acting on the concerns of the memberships then a majority of the 50 million must have been consulted about the issues. Which puts your statement about US consumers not know about imports in question.

Tell you what, Tam. Maybe you and I should meet at a mall somewhere in suburbia USA and poll consumers. We'll ask them how many countries the US imports beef from. If they guess more than half of actual, I'll pay you $10. If they guess less than half of actual, you pay me $10. Do you think you'll get any of my money?

Sandhusker don't try put on me what you pulled on SH. :roll: You are changing what you said already you said

good bet that most US consumers don't know that we import cattle from Canada or anyplace else.

so even if they guess you are importing from one country I would win on the orginial statement Now they have to know just how many countries you are importing beef from Sandhusker. :wink: Nice try but that is not what your orginial statement was the question should be more like Does the US import cattle from other countries? Yes or No. Without looking do you know how many countries the US imports beef from?
Maybe we should also add to the questionaire "If you saw a BSE tested label would you assume it meant BSE free or do you know that BSE tested only means it was tested but the test could have been used on animals that have rarely show positive results in any countries BSE surveillance system as they are to young? This was Cheekstones Plan wasn't it Sandhusker to test under 30 month animals?

 

[Econ101]

Sandhusker you said SO BMR asked you to which you replied Now I have brought forward snips from several press releases from R-CALF where they are claiming Consumers are demanding it. So I ask you again if they don't know about the imports why are they DEMANDING M"COOL as R-CALF says they are?
You say Does R-CALF leadership just demand things on your behalf without asking you about the issue and getting a directive from their memberships of what they want them to do? If these groups represent 50 million do they just demand things on their behalf or do they like most organization and groups ask their membership what they want them to do? If these groups are acting on the concerns of the memberships then a majority of the 50 million must have been consulted about the issues. Which puts your statement about US consumers not know about imports in question.

Tell you what, Tam. Maybe you and I should meet at a mall somewhere in suburbia USA and poll consumers. We'll ask them how many countries the US imports beef from. If they guess more than half of actual, I'll pay you $10. If they guess less than half of actual, you pay me $10. Do you think you'll get any of my money?

Sandhusker don't try put on me what you pulled on SH. :roll: You are changing what you said already you said

good bet that most US consumers don't know that we import cattle from Canada or anyplace else.

so even if they guess you are importing from one country I would win on the orginial statement Now they have to know just how many countries you are importing beef from Sandhusker. :wink: Nice try but that is not what your orginial statement was the question should be more like Does the US import cattle from other countries? Yes or No. Without looking do you know how many countries the US imports beef from?
Maybe we should also add to the questionaire "If you saw a BSE tested label would you assume it meant BSE free or do you know that BSE tested only means it was tested but the test could have been used on animals that have rarely show positive results in any countries BSE surveillance system as they are to young? This was Cheekstones Plan wasn't it Sandhusker to test under 30 month animals?

Tam, Creekstone was going to test so it could go into the Japanese market. If they were doing it for the Japanese, who cares? Canadians are jumping through a lot of hoops to get back into the U.S. market full force. If Johanns told you that you had to test UTMs don't you think you would be doing it?

 

[Sandhusker]

Tam, "Sandhusker don't try put on me what you pulled on SH. You are changing what you said already you said Quote:
good bet that most US consumers don't know that we import cattle from Canada or anyplace else.
so even if they guess you are importing from one country I would win on the orginial statement Now they have to know just how many countries you are importing beef from Sandhusker. Nice try but that is not what your orginial statement was the question should be more like Does the US import cattle from other countries? Yes or No. Without looking do you know how many countries the US imports beef from?"

I'm not changing a dang thing about what I said, unless you didn't or dont' want to understand my comment. Tam, I'm just trying to point out that I HAVE NO DOUBT that the vast majority of US consumers have no idea where their beef comes from and assume that the beef they buy is US. You still want to argue about that?

Tam, "Maybe we should also add to the questionaire "If you saw a BSE tested label would you assume it meant BSE free or do you know that BSE tested only means it was tested but the test could have been used on animals that have rarely show positive results in any countries BSE surveillance system as they are to young? This was Cheekstones Plan wasn't it Sandhusker to test under 30 month animals?"

It was Creekstone's plan to sell BSE tested beef to the Japanese per their request and their law. You can try to make more out of that if you choose, but that's all there is.

 

[Tam]

Tam, "Sandhusker don't try put on me what you pulled on SH. You are changing what you said already you said Quote:
good bet that most US consumers don't know that we import cattle from Canada or anyplace else.
so even if they guess you are importing from one country I would win on the orginial statement Now they have to know just how many countries you are importing beef from Sandhusker. Nice try but that is not what your orginial statement was the question should be more like Does the US import cattle from other countries? Yes or No. Without looking do you know how many countries the US imports beef from?"

I'm not changing a dang thing about what I said, unless you didn't or dont' want to understand my comment. Tam, I'm just trying to point out that I HAVE NO DOUBT that the vast majority of US consumers have no idea where their beef comes from and assume that the beef they buy is US. You still want to argue about that?

Tam, "Maybe we should also add to the questionaire "If you saw a BSE tested label would you assume it meant BSE free or do you know that BSE tested only means it was tested but the test could have been used on animals that have rarely show positive results in any countries BSE surveillance system as they are to young? This was Cheekstones Plan wasn't it Sandhusker to test under 30 month animals?"

It was Creekstone's plan to sell BSE tested beef to the Japanese per their request and their law. You can try to make more out of that if you choose, but that's all there is.

As I have said before and by what we were told by the guys in the know about what is shipped to Japan on Friday afternoon, they DON"T TAKE THE WHOLE CARCASS THEY TAKE ONLY SMALL PARTS OF THE CARCASS so if the beef is tested will it not be sold as tested to the other export and domestic markets as such if there is an assumed beneifit to saying it is BSE Tested? Come on Sandhusker and ECON tell us how only the Japanese part of the beef will be labeled as tested once the US consumers see that all beef going into the Japanese markets is tested. And if the meat is labeled as to have been tested we all have your word that the US consumers don't realize that USDA Inspected doesn't mean US BEEF so how will they know that BSE tested doesn't mean BSE FREE? If the inspected label is a fraud so will the BSE tested label, the only difference is who is perpetrating the fraud and who is supporting it being done. .

 

[Sandhusker]

Tam, "As I have said before and by what we were told by the guys in the know about what is shipped to Japan on Friday afternoon, they DON"T TAKE THE WHOLE CARCASS THEY TAKE ONLY SMALL PARTS OF THE CARCASS so if the beef is tested will it not be sold as tested to the other export and domestic markets as such if there is an assumed beneifit to saying it is BSE Tested? Come on Sandhusker and ECON tell us how only the Japanese part of the beef will be labeled as tested once the US consumers see that all beef going into the Japanese markets is tested. And if the meat is labeled as to have been tested we all have your word that the US consumers don't realize that USDA Inspected doesn't mean US BEEF so how will they know that BSE tested doesn't mean BSE FREE? If the inspected label is a fraud so will the BSE tested label, the only difference is who is perpetrating the fraud and who is supporting it being done."

Two questions, Tam;
1) Who said anything about selling tested beef to US consumers?

2) What is the problem if US consumers eat the rest of the carcass? They won't even know it's been tested and don't need to know - it does nothing to the meat what-so-ever.

It seems to me you're creating problems where there are none again.

 

[mrj]

Tam, "As I have said before and by what we were told by the guys in the know about what is shipped to Japan on Friday afternoon, they DON"T TAKE THE WHOLE CARCASS THEY TAKE ONLY SMALL PARTS OF THE CARCASS so if the beef is tested will it not be sold as tested to the other export and domestic markets as such if there is an assumed beneifit to saying it is BSE Tested? Come on Sandhusker and ECON tell us how only the Japanese part of the beef will be labeled as tested once the US consumers see that all beef going into the Japanese markets is tested. And if the meat is labeled as to have been tested we all have your word that the US consumers don't realize that USDA Inspected doesn't mean US BEEF so how will they know that BSE tested doesn't mean BSE FREE? If the inspected label is a fraud so will the BSE tested label, the only difference is who is perpetrating the fraud and who is supporting it being done."
*************************
Sorry, I got my reply to Sandhusker between his comments. Hope it isn't too confusing. MRJ

Sandhusker, do you honestly believe that if US consumers know beef is being tested for BSE for one customer, Japan, that they will not demand the same for ALL beef sold in the USA?

Given the current KNOWLEDGE about BSE and the very small risk to humans associated with properly processed beef, and the considerably higher risk to them from various other possible causes, including Brucellosis, E Coli, Listeria, Salmonella, would they not also be likely to DEMAND that all beef be tested for those KNOWN dangerous substances?

If we are to ONLY sell beef that is proven protected from known POSSIBLE and PROVEN diseases, will anyone be able to afford to either raise or eat it?

Life is full of risks. IMO, it makes sense to be sensible about protecting ourselves from them. It does not make sense to live in constant fear and demand a risk free environment, no matter the costs.

MRJ
***********************************

Two questions, Tam;
1) Who said anything about selling tested beef to US consumers?

2) What is the problem if US consumers eat the rest of the carcass? They won't even know it's been tested and don't need to know - it does nothing to the meat what-so-ever.

It seems to me you're creating problems where there are none again.

 

[Econ101]

Tam, "As I have said before and by what we were told by the guys in the know about what is shipped to Japan on Friday afternoon, they DON"T TAKE THE WHOLE CARCASS THEY TAKE ONLY SMALL PARTS OF THE CARCASS so if the beef is tested will it not be sold as tested to the other export and domestic markets as such if there is an assumed beneifit to saying it is BSE Tested? Come on Sandhusker and ECON tell us how only the Japanese part of the beef will be labeled as tested once the US consumers see that all beef going into the Japanese markets is tested. And if the meat is labeled as to have been tested we all have your word that the US consumers don't realize that USDA Inspected doesn't mean US BEEF so how will they know that BSE tested doesn't mean BSE FREE? If the inspected label is a fraud so will the BSE tested label, the only difference is who is perpetrating the fraud and who is supporting it being done."
*************************
Sorry, I got my reply to Sandhusker between his comments. Hope it isn't too confusing. MRJ

Sandhusker, do you honestly believe that if US consumers know beef is being tested for BSE for one customer, Japan, that they will not demand the same for ALL beef sold in the USA?

Given the current KNOWLEDGE about BSE and the very small risk to humans associated with properly processed beef, and the considerably higher risk to them from various other possible causes, including Brucellosis, E Coli, Listeria, Salmonella, would they not also be likely to DEMAND that all beef be tested for those KNOWN dangerous substances?

If we are to ONLY sell beef that is proven protected from known POSSIBLE and PROVEN diseases, will anyone be able to afford to either raise or eat it?

Life is full of risks. IMO, it makes sense to be sensible about protecting ourselves from them. It does not make sense to live in constant fear and demand a risk free environment, no matter the costs.

MRJ
***********************************

Two questions, Tam;
1) Who said anything about selling tested beef to US consumers?

2) What is the problem if US consumers eat the rest of the carcass? They won't even know it's been tested and don't need to know - it does nothing to the meat what-so-ever.

It seems to me you're creating problems where there are none again.

MRJ, I would rather my kids eat tested beef. Wouldn't you? You don't erradicate these type of things by not looking for them. Suppose we had 100 cases of BSE in the U.S. Would it not be better to catch them than to ignore them? If the USDA has a policy of hiding BSE prevelance or even of not looking very hard, what real good does it do to their credibility?