Tommy
Well-known member
Read the Fine Print!
"Indeed, the district court's finding of irreparable economic harm is undermined by the industry itself. Numerous amici curiae briefs have been filed in this case by organizations representing large sectors of the American meat industry, all of whom seek reversal of the preliminary injuction. If the Final Rule posed a true risk of exposing American beef to an irreparable stigma one would not expect to see such a broad coalition of industry members supporting its implementation."
[Taken from the Conclusion of the written order by the three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that overturned a temporary court order issued in March by U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull that blocked live cattle trade with Canada]
So, who are these organizations that represent large sectors of the American meat industry? Why did the numerous briefs filed have such an impact on the 3 judges that heard this appeal? The answers can be found in the Motion To File In Support Of Defendants and the Counsel Record attached to the written order that was released to the public 11 days after the decision.
The Motion to intervene, in support of USDA's appeals brief, as a matter of public record, was initiated by NCBA, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Pork Producers Council, 29 State Cattlemen's Groups (including Nebraska Cattlemen's Association), 18 State Farm Bureaus, (including Nebraska Farm Bureau), and 9 individual cattle producers from northern states.
Statements made in this influential document should be brought forth and questioned as to truth and fabrication by all who are affected in the outcome. One paragraph stands out as a deliberate askewing of facts.
"Prospective amici represent and include a broad range of American farmers and ranchers
whose economic, political, and social interests the prospective amici organizations serve to promote. NCBA is the largest organization representing the Nations's cattle industry; AFBF
represents some 5.6 million farm families across the country. Collectively, the States rep-
resentd by the prospective state amici organizations are home to more than 85% of the Nation's
cattle producers and 75% of the Nation's cattle herds."
Farm Bureau members should be concerned with AFBF's credentials. How can this organization represent some 5.6 million farm families across the country since the most recent, 2002 USDA Ag Census lists only 2,128,982 "farms" in existence and not all farmers are members. (Nebraska Farm Bureau claims to represent over 50,000 farm and ranch member families when they list only 48,500 farms and ranches in existence in Nebraska who are not all members) Another point of interest is the fact that the Farm Bureau, nationwide, is an insurance conglomerate, with annual net profits exceeding over $6.5 billion (annual report 1996). It controls two major farmer co-ops and keeps a stock portfolio that reads like a who's who of agribusiness giants: Archer Daniels Midlands, ConAgra, Walmart, Tyson, Monsanto, Phillip-Morris, Dupont, Novartis and Dow, just a sampling of their investments. It is also heavily invested in oil, banking and media. Who do you think they are really representing?
Then, interestingly enough, there are many Law Firms listed in support of the defenses argument, most from Wahington DC. representing the following:the Government of Canada, Alberta Beef Producers, Easterday Ranches, Inc., Canadian Cattlemen's Association and Its Affiliated Organizations, American Meat Institute, North American Meat Processors, Southwestern Meat Association, Eastern Meat Packers Association, American Association of Meat Processors, National Restaurant Association, and United Food and Commercial Workers; Pioneer, Inc.;Camelid Alliance, et al; NCBA, AFBF, 29 State Cattlemen's Associations, 18 State Farm Bureaus and 9 individual cattle producers; and finally Tyson Foods, Inc.
When researching the appeals brief it became convincingly apparent who's interests are being represented. Independent US farmers and ranchers need to be aware that the interests that influenced this process are some of the most powerful Agri-businesses in the nation. Producers need to rethink where there membership is most beneficial to their business and stop supporting organizations who work against them. Just read the fine print.
ICON Board of Director
Bob Rothwell
"Indeed, the district court's finding of irreparable economic harm is undermined by the industry itself. Numerous amici curiae briefs have been filed in this case by organizations representing large sectors of the American meat industry, all of whom seek reversal of the preliminary injuction. If the Final Rule posed a true risk of exposing American beef to an irreparable stigma one would not expect to see such a broad coalition of industry members supporting its implementation."
[Taken from the Conclusion of the written order by the three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that overturned a temporary court order issued in March by U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull that blocked live cattle trade with Canada]
So, who are these organizations that represent large sectors of the American meat industry? Why did the numerous briefs filed have such an impact on the 3 judges that heard this appeal? The answers can be found in the Motion To File In Support Of Defendants and the Counsel Record attached to the written order that was released to the public 11 days after the decision.
The Motion to intervene, in support of USDA's appeals brief, as a matter of public record, was initiated by NCBA, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Pork Producers Council, 29 State Cattlemen's Groups (including Nebraska Cattlemen's Association), 18 State Farm Bureaus, (including Nebraska Farm Bureau), and 9 individual cattle producers from northern states.
Statements made in this influential document should be brought forth and questioned as to truth and fabrication by all who are affected in the outcome. One paragraph stands out as a deliberate askewing of facts.
"Prospective amici represent and include a broad range of American farmers and ranchers
whose economic, political, and social interests the prospective amici organizations serve to promote. NCBA is the largest organization representing the Nations's cattle industry; AFBF
represents some 5.6 million farm families across the country. Collectively, the States rep-
resentd by the prospective state amici organizations are home to more than 85% of the Nation's
cattle producers and 75% of the Nation's cattle herds."
Farm Bureau members should be concerned with AFBF's credentials. How can this organization represent some 5.6 million farm families across the country since the most recent, 2002 USDA Ag Census lists only 2,128,982 "farms" in existence and not all farmers are members. (Nebraska Farm Bureau claims to represent over 50,000 farm and ranch member families when they list only 48,500 farms and ranches in existence in Nebraska who are not all members) Another point of interest is the fact that the Farm Bureau, nationwide, is an insurance conglomerate, with annual net profits exceeding over $6.5 billion (annual report 1996). It controls two major farmer co-ops and keeps a stock portfolio that reads like a who's who of agribusiness giants: Archer Daniels Midlands, ConAgra, Walmart, Tyson, Monsanto, Phillip-Morris, Dupont, Novartis and Dow, just a sampling of their investments. It is also heavily invested in oil, banking and media. Who do you think they are really representing?
Then, interestingly enough, there are many Law Firms listed in support of the defenses argument, most from Wahington DC. representing the following:the Government of Canada, Alberta Beef Producers, Easterday Ranches, Inc., Canadian Cattlemen's Association and Its Affiliated Organizations, American Meat Institute, North American Meat Processors, Southwestern Meat Association, Eastern Meat Packers Association, American Association of Meat Processors, National Restaurant Association, and United Food and Commercial Workers; Pioneer, Inc.;Camelid Alliance, et al; NCBA, AFBF, 29 State Cattlemen's Associations, 18 State Farm Bureaus and 9 individual cattle producers; and finally Tyson Foods, Inc.
When researching the appeals brief it became convincingly apparent who's interests are being represented. Independent US farmers and ranchers need to be aware that the interests that influenced this process are some of the most powerful Agri-businesses in the nation. Producers need to rethink where there membership is most beneficial to their business and stop supporting organizations who work against them. Just read the fine print.
ICON Board of Director
Bob Rothwell