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Capital Press – Friday –
May 4, 2007 – 9:44 a.m. PDT
R-CALF
fights for American cattlemen
Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal
Fund goes to court in battle for ranchers
Margene Eiguren
Guest Comment
These are needed comments regarding an
article by Peggy Steward titled "Cattlemen bolt from R-CALF," which ran on April
27.
Jon Wooster says the motivating factor for the formation of the U.S. Cattlemen's
Association was a difference of philosophy between the present R-CALF board, who
opted to focus on litigation, and those who walked away, who wanted to work with
decision-makers rather than battle them in court.
There is indeed a difference in philosophy between R-CALF and those who formed
USCA, so fundamental a difference that it required a firm stance from R-CALF.
The R-CALF board thought then - and thinks now - that it is not only important
to carry out membership-set policy as voted on by R-CALF members, but that it is
the responsibility of the board of directors to do just that.
Since 2004, R-CALF USA membership-set policy has directed the board to evaluate
the legality of USDA's actions to allow Canadian cattle into the U.S. and to
litigate, if necessary, to protect the integrity and safety of the U.S. beef
supply for consumers and producers.
In addition, in 2006, R-CALF USA's membership voted to direct the board of
directors to challenge and stop USDA from importing cattle over 30 months of age
into the U.S. from Canada or any other BSE-affected country because of the
threat it posed to the U.S. cattle industry and to the U.S. consumer.
The folks who left R-CALF and formed USCA say, "It's pretty hard to throw stones
at someone, then expect them to work with you" in reference to R-CALF's current
legal challenge against USDA's initial relaxation of BSE import restrictions.
R-CALF also plans to challenge USDA's plan to allow over 30-month-old Canadian
cattle into the United States.
USDA's philosophy is to not take definitive action to solve a known problem
regarding importing cattle and beef from BSE-affected countries. USDA says we
must treat other countries like we would want them to treat us.
The fallacy of that philosophy has been revealed - it has not worked for USDA in
regaining lost export markets, nor will it work for U.S. cattle producers.
Wouldn't it make more sense for everyone involved to have a responsible BSE
policy regarding imports so that everyone is protected?
That's what R-CALF believes.
Steward's article states that USCA gives grass-roots family ranchers a voice in
Washington, D.C. Reading it would make one think that ranchers don't have a
voice now.
Nothing could be further from the truth. R-CALF USA has been actively engaged in
the farm bill debate going on in Washington and has provided oral testimony
before the Senate Ag Committee and written testimony before the House Ag
Committee.
It's one thing to start a new organization. It's another for USCA to
misrepresent the facts. Such misrepresentation makes one think that this emperor
has no clothes.
Margene Eiguren of Jordan Valley, Ore., is director of R-CALF USA's Region I,
which includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.
http://www.capitalpress.info/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=32073&SectionID=75&SubSectionID=&S=1
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