What is happening to NCBA?

[Anonymous]

I am hearing some rumors that are saying that NCBA may fall apart during their winter convention which is upcoming....That they invested heavily into a computer data corporation, for their mandatory ID plan, that is now on the verge of bankruptcy- that the only way to save them is to pour millions $ more in- or take a big loss....

One of the fellows that was telling me is a roper and he said that this NCBA scandal will make the PRCA CEO's squandering of $9 million look like a kid in the piggy bank in comparison.....

Has anyone got some insight to this? Like I said all I'm hearing is rumor, but its about at a roar level right now...This and NCBA's backing of USDA's BSE import rules changes have caused quite a stir locally......

 

[Tommy]

Oldtimer...That they invested heavily into a computer data corporation, for their mandatory ID plan, that is now on the verge of bankruptcy- that the only way to save them is to pour millions $ more in- or take a big loss....

I have not heard anything about this, but McAdams did say that they were not going to make any money on it. It also sounds like they got their cart before the horse.

 

[Sandhusker]

NCBA is backing the rule of importing Japanese beef?

 

[Anonymous]

NCBA is backing the rule of importing Japanese beef?

Their apparent silent approval has created the stir- the locals I talked to see the rule as a USDA backdoor way to drop all BSE rules and protections, and open up the Canadian border to all cows and beef unrestricted by age- which NCBA said previously they were against....

 

[Sandhusker]

NCBA is backing the rule of importing Japanese beef?

Their apparent silent approval has created the stir- the locals I talked to see the rule as a USDA backdoor way to drop all BSE rules and protections, and open up the Canadian border to all cows and beef unrestricted by age- which NCBA said previously they were against....

How can they be silent on an action with the implications this one has? This is no small deal - this is huge, absolutely huge.

 

[Anonymous]

NCBA is backing the rule of importing Japanese beef?

Their apparent silent approval has created the stir- the locals I talked to see the rule as a USDA backdoor way to drop all BSE rules and protections, and open up the Canadian border to all cows and beef unrestricted by age- which NCBA said previously they were against....

How can they be silent on an action with the implications this one has? This is no small deal - this is huge, absolutely huge.

Well, If their state of disarray is as big as I'm being led to believe over this data base firm fiasco- they may be afraid to comment on anything right now :wink: ....

 

[TimH]

NCBA is backing the rule of importing Japanese beef?

Their apparent silent approval has created the stir- the locals I talked to see the rule as a USDA backdoor way to drop all BSE rules and protections, and open up the Canadian border to all cows and beef unrestricted by age- which NCBA said previously they were against....

How can they be silent on an action with the implications this one has? This is no small deal - this is huge, absolutely huge.

Sandhusker, what are these "huge implications" of allowing importation of Japanese beef?? :???: :???:

 

[Sandhusker]

Their apparent silent approval has created the stir- the locals I talked to see the rule as a USDA backdoor way to drop all BSE rules and protections, and open up the Canadian border to all cows and beef unrestricted by age- which NCBA said previously they were against....

How can they be silent on an action with the implications this one has? This is no small deal - this is huge, absolutely huge.

Sandhusker, what are these "huge implications" of allowing importation of Japanese beef?? :???: :???:

First of all, it is an abandonment of their own policy (supposedly based on sound science) that was just recently used to justify the reversal and abandonment of their zero-tolerance policy! They've now changed their own rules twice, both changes contradicting the previous and both lowering standards on a deadly disease! (I may add, both changes lowering health standards for economic reasons).

Secondly, they are proposing we take beef no other country in the world will accept - in a form that even the people who raise it can not accept themselves! If it isn't even good enough for the the Japanese, why is it good enough for us?

Finally, they are setting a very, very dangerous precident. If we are taking untested beef from a country that is one of the hot spots for BSE - one where scientists think the BSE problem has not even peaked yet, what will we not take? How is this action consistant with a stated goal of protecting US consumers and US agriculture? Just 2 1/2 years ago, we would close the door completely if any country had a single case - and now we will be taking untested beef from a country who has had 5 cases just this very year, and nearly 20 total? This is lunacy.

Little did Bill Bullard know what a gross understatement he was making when he said the USDA is making us the dumping ground for the world's beef.

 

[TimH]

How can they be silent on an action with the implications this one has? This is no small deal - this is huge, absolutely huge.

Sandhusker, what are these "huge implications" of allowing importation of Japanese beef?? :???: :???:

First of all, it is an abandonment of their own policy (supposedly based on sound science) that was just recently used to justify the reversal and abandonment of their zero-tolerance policy! They've now changed their own rules twice, both changes contradicting the previous and both lowering standards on a deadly disease! (I may add, both changes lowering health standards for economic reasons).

Secondly, they are proposing we take beef no other country in the world will accept - in a form that even the people who raise it can not accept themselves! If it isn't even good enough for the the Japanese, why is it good enough for us?

Finally, they are setting a very, very dangerous precident. If we are taking untested beef from a country that is one of the hot spots for BSE - one where scientists think the BSE problem has not even peaked yet, what will we not take? How is this action consistant with a stated goal of protecting US consumers and US agriculture? Just 2 1/2 years ago, we would close the door completely if any country had a single case - and now we will be taking untested beef from a country who has had 5 cases just this very year, and nearly 20 total? This is lunacy.
Little did Bill Bullard know what a gross understatement he was making when he said the USDA is making us the dumping ground for the world's beef.

It is my understanding, Sandhusker, that even though the Japanese govt. has dropped it's mandatory 100% BSE testing rule, 100% Bse testing is still being done voluntarily. Is this not correct?

 

[Sandhusker]

Tim, "It is my understanding, Sandhusker, that even though the Japanese govt. has dropped it's mandatory 100% BSE testing rule, 100% Bse testing is still being done voluntarily. Is this not correct?"

I may be wrong, but the way that I understand it is that the Federal Government has advocated dropping the 100% testing rule, but the prefects - at the urging of citizenry - have opted to keep it.

 

[TimH]

Tim, "It is my understanding, Sandhusker, that even though the Japanese govt. has dropped it's mandatory 100% BSE testing rule, 100% Bse testing is still being done voluntarily. Is this not correct?"

I may be wrong, but the way that I understand it is that the Federal Government has advocated dropping the 100% testing rule, but the prefects - at the urging of citizenry - have opted to keep it.

Yup. That is what I understand ,also. So all Japanese beef is,in fact, BSE tested.
Why would there be "huge implications" for anyone importing Japanese beef if it is all BSE tested? :???:

 

[Sandhusker]

Tim, "It is my understanding, Sandhusker, that even though the Japanese govt. has dropped it's mandatory 100% BSE testing rule, 100% Bse testing is still being done voluntarily. Is this not correct?"

I may be wrong, but the way that I understand it is that the Federal Government has advocated dropping the 100% testing rule, but the prefects - at the urging of citizenry - have opted to keep it.

Yup. That is what I understand ,also. So all Japanese beef is,in fact, BSE tested.
Why would there be "huge implications" for anyone importing Japanese beef if it is all BSE tested? :???:

It is tested for the Japanese. I don't think we have any such requirement.

Even if it was, we would be in a situation where the Japanese would be able to test for our markets, but we would have been banned from testing for theirs. Unless you believe the big packers are pulling the strings of the USDA, none of this makes any sense at all.

 

[TimH]

Tim, "It is my understanding, Sandhusker, that even though the Japanese govt. has dropped it's mandatory 100% BSE testing rule, 100% Bse testing is still being done voluntarily. Is this not correct?"

I may be wrong, but the way that I understand it is that the Federal Government has advocated dropping the 100% testing rule, but the prefects - at the urging of citizenry - have opted to keep it.

Yup. That is what I understand ,also. So all Japanese beef is,in fact, BSE tested.
Why would there be "huge implications" for anyone importing Japanese beef if it is all BSE tested? :???:

It is tested for the Japanese. I don't think we have any such requirement.

Even if it was, we would be in a situation where the Japanese would be able to test for our markets, but we would have been banned from testing for theirs. Unless you believe the big packers are pulling the strings of the USDA, none of this makes any sense at all.

It matters not whether the US has any such requirement. The fact is, that every animal slaughtered in Japan is still being tested for BSE and ,therefore,any Japanese beef headed for the US market is BSE tested.
So what are the "huge implications" with the US importing BSE tested beef from Japan??? :???:

 

[Econ101]

Yup. That is what I understand ,also. So all Japanese beef is,in fact, BSE tested.
Why would there be "huge implications" for anyone importing Japanese beef if it is all BSE tested? :???:

It is tested for the Japanese. I don't think we have any such requirement.

Even if it was, we would be in a situation where the Japanese would be able to test for our markets, but we would have been banned from testing for theirs. Unless you believe the big packers are pulling the strings of the USDA, none of this makes any sense at all.

It matters not whether the US has any such requirement. The fact is, that every animal slaughtered in Japan is still being tested for BSE and ,therefore,any Japanese beef headed for the US market is BSE tested.
So what are the "huge implications" with the US importing BSE tested beef from Japan??? :???:

Tim, it means that none of the rules of reason reign in the USDA anymore, that all collective wisdom and processes for protection of U.S. beef health safety and the safety of U. S. meat is subject to the whims of those who have the political power within the USDA.

Did you like the political appointment of FEMA during New Orleans fiasco? It will be repeated in agriculture without the dramatic footage of a rapidly changing event to draw attention to it.

 

[TimH]

It is tested for the Japanese. I don't think we have any such requirement.

Even if it was, we would be in a situation where the Japanese would be able to test for our markets, but we would have been banned from testing for theirs. Unless you believe the big packers are pulling the strings of the USDA, none of this makes any sense at all.

It matters not whether the US has any such requirement. The fact is, that every animal slaughtered in Japan is still being tested for BSE and ,therefore,any Japanese beef headed for the US market is BSE tested.
So what are the "huge implications" with the US importing BSE tested beef from Japan??? :???:

Tim, it means that none of the rules of reason reign in the USDA anymore, that all collective wisdom and processes for protection of U.S. beef health safety and the safety of U. S. meat is subject to the whims of those who have the political power within the USDA.
Did you like the political appointment of FEMA during New Orleans fiasco? It will be repeated in agriculture without the dramatic footage of a rapidly changing event to draw attention to it.

Exactly which "rules of reason" would you be refering to , Econ?? :???:

 

[Anonymous]

It matters not whether the US has any such requirement. The fact is, that every animal slaughtered in Japan is still being tested for BSE and ,therefore,any Japanese beef headed for the US market is BSE tested.
So what are the "huge implications" with the US importing BSE tested beef from Japan??? :???:

Tim, it means that none of the rules of reason reign in the USDA anymore, that all collective wisdom and processes for protection of U.S. beef health safety and the safety of U. S. meat is subject to the whims of those who have the political power within the USDA.
Did you like the political appointment of FEMA during New Orleans fiasco? It will be repeated in agriculture without the dramatic footage of a rapidly changing event to draw attention to it.

Exactly which "rules of reason" would you be refering to , Econ?? :???:

How about the past 20 years of BSE and TSE research and study that many scientists did thruout the world- all of which are being thrown out the door by the science of short term economics for the profits of the major multinational corporations that could care less about the health of consumers or the viability and condition of the US, or even the Canadian cattle supply, 10 years from now....They already have sources in Argentina, Australia and Brazil......

I see now why there is such a big push to split USDA away from food inspection and certification.........

 

[RobertMac]

Yup. That is what I understand ,also. So all Japanese beef is,in fact, BSE tested.
Why would there be "huge implications" for anyone importing Japanese beef if it is all BSE tested? :???:

It is tested for the Japanese. I don't think we have any such requirement.

Even if it was, we would be in a situation where the Japanese would be able to test for our markets, but we would have been banned from testing for theirs. Unless you believe the big packers are pulling the strings of the USDA, none of this makes any sense at all.

It matters not whether the US has any such requirement. The fact is, that every animal slaughtered in Japan is still being tested for BSE and ,therefore,any Japanese beef headed for the US market is BSE tested.
So what are the "huge implications" with the US importing BSE tested beef from Japan??? :???:

Tim, if there is no requirement, what makes you sure that beef processed specifically for the USA market will be tested? The precedence this sets(if true) will be that the USA will accept untested beef from any country that has had BSE, would it not?

 

[ocm]

It is tested for the Japanese. I don't think we have any such requirement.

Even if it was, we would be in a situation where the Japanese would be able to test for our markets, but we would have been banned from testing for theirs. Unless you believe the big packers are pulling the strings of the USDA, none of this makes any sense at all.

It matters not whether the US has any such requirement. The fact is, that every animal slaughtered in Japan is still being tested for BSE and ,therefore,any Japanese beef headed for the US market is BSE tested.
So what are the "huge implications" with the US importing BSE tested beef from Japan??? :???:

Tim, it means that none of the rules of reason reign in the USDA anymore, that all collective wisdom and processes for protection of U.S. beef health safety and the safety of U. S. meat is subject to the whims of those who have the political power within the USDA.

Did you like the political appointment of FEMA during New Orleans fiasco? It will be repeated in agriculture without the dramatic footage of a rapidly changing event to draw attention to it.

Tim, if the USDA does not REQUIRE the Japanese to BSE test their beef for export to us, then they have set the precedent that they will not REQUIRE it of anybody else. My bet is that the USDA is counting on everybody knowing that japan already tests their beef and therefore they will let the rule slide without a testing requirement.

The issue here is not what Japan does. It is what the USDA rule says. There is a big difference between the two.

When Johanns announced this rule many of the press attending the announcement were incredulous and asked if this was done for political reasons. Johanns said it was sound science. The sound science basis for opening Japan contradicts the sound science used to open Canada.

Stay tuned.

 

[TimH]

OK...... Before we go 'round in circles anymore, would any of you (Sandhusker,Econ 101, RobertMac, OCM,Oldtimer, etc.) have any problems("huge implications") with importing Japanese beef if the USA required that it was BSE tested??

 

[TimH]

OCM - "Tim, if the USDA does not REQUIRE the Japanese to BSE test their beef for export to us, then they have set the precedent that they will not REQUIRE it of anybody else."

That precedent has already been set, OCM.

USA accepts beef from Canada(a BSE positive country) without testing.
Canada accepts beef from USA (a BSE positive country)without testing.
Japan accepts beef from USA (a BSE positive country) without testing.