COOL Means Australian Beef Replaces Canadian Beef in U.S. Markets

[grassfarmer]

OK farmers_son, I'm just so used to you advocating the ABP stance on nearly every subject that I have got into the mindset of thinking of you as being an ABP director or delegate at least. If you aren't I apologize.

However I stand by my point that it is wrong to imply that Australian beef is "rooburger" and automatically inferior to Canadian. That was why I cited the information about the DNA markers. You must surely agree that it is both wrong and foolhardy to underestimate our competitors like this?

[Willowcreek]

farmers_son-- I aware of the Smoot-Hawley-- but I personally think a severe Depression is unevitable already.. Bush was asleep for 8 years on the economy- and didn't wake up until it was already a disaster...
And I think its going to take an "America First" policy and program to bring us out of it...Putting US industry, workers, producers, infrastructure, etc. ahead of all these other nations and multinational corporations...Americans don't mind paying to build our own country- but are tired of dishing it out to build and support the industry and infrastructure of every country of the world..

I think besides a stronger M-COOL, you will see a Packer Ownership ban put in place- plus raised corporate taxes, that gives big exemptions for products/production within the US- to get many of the companies operating out of country to reinvest back into the US....And we may see some enforcement of the anti-trust laws to break up these huge corporations (like AIG) so we no longer have corporations that are too big to allow to fail.. This could affect the Packer monopoly..There is already 20 some State Attorneys signed onto the court action to keep JBS Brazil from buying up some of the US packing...
We will also see a lot more money put into alternative forms of energy- including ethanol and bio diesel- which will mean grain crops will rule...A lot bigger push to organic and grass fed cattle too..
Thats just a little of the direction change I see possible..

[kato]

If you want corporations to take their business outside your borders, just raise corporate taxes. That'll do it. Why would they invest in America if the cost of business is raised? Think about it. It was your high dollar that got them going internationally in the first place, and now that it has come down a bit, the higher taxes will keep the momentum going.

I would also think that Obama has much higher priorities than MCOOL. America has much bigger problems than labelling food products. Like making sure people can afford to actually buy food.

I was reading an article yesterday that speculated that if the current Ag secretary doesn't finalize MCOOL before the inaugeration that it won't happen for many more months. Simple logistics of a change in administration will put it off.

As well, there is the fact that promises made during elections will always get a sober second look afterward.

[Willowcreek]

Well Kato- if the corporations that operate within the country- and use US employees- and produce products within the boundaries of the country are given exemptions- that actually encourages business to move back/stay here...

And you can wish all you want on M-COOL and import regulation- but the Dems for the last few years have been the ones pushing for more inspection/regulation on imported products- M-COOL- and more FDA/USDA import inspections (requiring the importers to pay the cost)...

One of the ones being talked up as the possible Ag Secretary and head of USDA is Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer- who pushed thru the Montana M-COOL and has taken an active part in questioning the safety of imported beef/meat... And even if he isn't picked as Ag or Interior Secretary- he will have a key ear in D.C. now as he was chosen by Obama as a keynote speaker at the Dem convention that nominated Obama...

I guarantee you- things are headed for a change...One of the over 2000 Bush rule signing changes Obama could be looking at could be the USDA rushed thru BSE rule changes ????

[farmers_son]

Willowcreek: Can I take it that you prefer to see the U.S import beef from Australia rather than Canada?

I do not see the U.S. being able to produce all its beef requirements domestically (and export too) so it seems likely to me the U.S. will be importing beef from somewhere. If you have to import beef, which country would you prefer to import from?

[Willowcreek]

farmers_son- personally IF we have to import any beef- I would prefer Canada instead of Mexico or Australia--but I also would like to see it ALL labeled to COOL to give the consumers an informed choice...
Something I forgot to mention- that I think will pass in the next year or two will be the Packer Ownership Ban- restricting packers to owning cattle for anymore than 14 days...It would have in the last farm bill except for a couple old Packer bought out Republican Congressmen and NCBA being able to stop it...Neither Repubs or NCBA have half their pull anymore..