Farm-Group Criticism of U.S. Mad Cow Rules Grows

[Eugene]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050109/wl_canada_nm/canada_madcow_usa_col_3


13 minutes ago

By Charles Abbott

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Reuters) - U.S. farm groups were turning critical of
the government's handling of mad cow disease on Sunday, with the
largest ranchers' group fearing a drop in cattle prices.

Others are calling for the largest U.S. farm group to oppose a Bush
administration plan to accept cattle from Canada, which just found a
new case of the disease.

Critics said it's unwise to open the border with Canada without first
restoring U.S. beef sales to Japan and South Korea (news - web sites),
traditionally two major customers who cut off sales after the first U.S.
case of the fatal bovine disease was found a year ago

(snip)

Without exports, cattle prices could fall under the weight of Canadian
cattle imports, skeptics said. At the same time, U.S. meatpackers say
they cannot operate at full capacity without them and have laid off
some workers.

(snip)

--

Sounds more about protectionism than food safety.

[yardwork]

1. Whatever it takes to get the sheeple to pay attention

Protectionism, food safety, loss of profit margin - whatever it takes.

[Kagemusha]

2. Great patriot you are huh.

And even understanding how bad the Republicans are, I don't understand your attitude.

[yardwork]

7. I think you must have misunderstood my meaning

I meant that whatever catches people's attention regarding food safety is a good thing. Some people will be interested in food safety because of economic reasons, others for other reasons - it's all good. It's good to pay attention to food safety issues. That's what I meant.

What did you think I meant?

[daleo]

3. I think this was all engineered

Bush announces plans to re-open the border a day or two before a fresh Canadian mad cow is announced. Now Bush can keep the border closed and maintain the illusion of being a free trader. The meatpackers will get their payoff somewhere down the line.

Practices in U.S. cattle farming are no different than Canada. I am sure there are as many BSE cows in the U.S. proportionately as there are in Canada. They are just doing a better job of not finding them in the States.

[truthseeker1]

4. "They are just doing a better job of not finding them in the States."

Or when they do find them, they are blaming it on Canada. The cow that was supposedly from Alberta was actually from Great Falls, Montana. But as long as Americans think the cow is from Canada, we're safe. Right.

That's why I don't eat beef anymore. Too many lies, not enough honest regulation.

[leesa]

5. But you don't want your beef tested, right assholes?

I could give a shit if American big business farmers are hurting. Let tham sell off their farms to the families again.

[shadowknows69]

6. just say moooo

my family hasn't eaten beef in over a year because of these stories. The government and beef industry don't care about your health folks, just selling burgers.

[MrSlayer]

8. This is why I only buy premium beef.

From Omaha Steaks and the local butcher who really knows his trade. The quality is worth the price.