Reader, I'm very curious as to what you mean, specifically, with your statement that "NCBA gets in line with the new policies". Which policies? How has NCBA out of line? Who will "have to eat crow"?
Most of all, which "previous "Sound Science" will be uncovered as money talks"????
Yes, Tex, USDA did deny Creekstone proposal for a reason. The accepted or available testing was/is not conducive to private use, as evidenced, IMO, by the failure of some government expert conducted tests which had to be sent to England to get the results, with the English commenting to the effect that it was a very difficult and complicated sample to test and it was no surprise that results were inconclusive in previous tests.
At that time, was there an infallibly accurate test for BSE? To force, which this would have done, testing of all beef for BSE with no test available which had a high percentage of reliability would have been a foolish decision.
Does USDA have the responsibilty for any testing of animals? Of course. Who determines which states are TB free, or Brucellosis free, for example.
Re. NCBA and CBB, there is a legal difference and some people try to confuse that fact to attack the membership policy organization, NCBA.
NCBA does NOT control the Beef Checkoff. The Federation Division, which is really the group of state Beef Councils (controlling ONLY the state half of checkoff dollars) is comprised of people who are members of virtually ALL cattle/beef organizations, not just NCBA members , is losely affiliated with, but financially separate from the Policy/membership division and their voting is separated, with members only voting on policy issues, and only Federation REPRESENTATIVES voting on checkoff questions. Federation reps decide which projects on the national level they will support with their STATE dollars. The two divisions work together on some projects and contracts, with time of staff accounted for in fifteen minute increments and assigned to the proper association division, thus NO checkoff dollars support NCBA policy issues or lobbying.
CBB (controlling national half of the Beef Checkoff dollars) is a totally separate organization, comprised of representatives from each state, usually chosen by state cattle organization members, and confirmed by USDA. These directors are limited to two three year terms. They control the national half of the beef checkoff dollar and decide which projects they will fund.
Exactly how do you believe the packers control the beef checkoff? How many of the people at the state level even know a packer??? Do you honestly believe Joe Sixpack out on the ranch is intimidated by packers??? There are more of those guys and gals in control of the checkoff than you may be willing to admit!
The fact that beef checkoff does not "take on competitors and substitutes" has more to do with the fact that the Beef Checkoff is mandated by law and has to follow laws, rules and regulations. One of which precludes attacking other commodities with anything other than the facts of differences in nutrient values....which the checkoff has done very well, thank you!
BTW, the beef briskets I cook seem to disappear quite rapidly and with many compliments to the cook!
So far as "gettin it", some of you are too busy trying to "get" NCBA to see the good done by that organization, and for sure you would never admit to it anyway.
I don't need to be a cheerleader.......just trying to keep some of those who would mis-inform others a little bit honest.
mrj