GOOD JOB CBC.

[cowman]

Well I sure hope the USDA isn't fudging the tests, although I will admit it sure looks like something is funny here?
When people lose faith in the food inspection agency we are all in big trouble?
I like to think that the men and women who work in food inspection are "above" the crooked dealings of corporations and sleazy politicians! And I still have faith that, that is how it is in Canadas food inspection...and hopefully in the USDA? Maybe I am being very naive here?

[rkaiser]

It will all come down to money in the end.

One thing and one thing only holding back the good old USA from testing to access export markets - Money. A move like this would cost the packers, and if the domestic consumer saw fit to demand testing because Japan was getting it, , , it would cost the packers even more MONEY. Of course over time the costs would be past down the chain to the producer, and ultimately the primary producer, but short term, revamping packing plants, and time lost on the line would cost packers MONEY.

I have always said that the second (I will say second because I personally do not believe BSE is transmitted through feed) domestic American BSE case will come when the money situation passes the balance point. If Rcalf and their assbackwards protectionist ways keep succeeding in costing packers other than Cargil and Tyson big bucks, the balance point may be reached.

Up til now Cargil and Tyson have no need for an open border. They are profitting enough in Canada off the backs of the Canadian rancher to offset losses occuring in their plants south of the line due to the closed border.

Conagra has made a small move already challenging Rcalf with their friends within the NMA. Conagra (Swift) has been in a transitional phase the last little while with internal business. They are about ready now to make the big move. The move may be to simply build in Canada - grab a few bucks while they can til the border does open and then position themselves along side Cargil and Tyson to continue the American takeover of the Canadian packing industry. CARGIL HAS AN OFFER ON THE TABLE TO BUY BETTER BEEF - ONE OF CANADA'S LARGEST CANADIAN OWNED PLANTS DOWN EAST. TYSON AND CARGIL HAVE BOTH EXPANDED CAPACITY, AS WELL AS XCEL. XCEL CAN AND WILL SELL TO AMERICAN INTERESTS AT THE DROP OF A BUCKET. Let a few little plalts start up for media attention, bury their asses, and presto the American takeover is complete. Congradulations Canada.

The other choice Conagra has is to push the envelope on testing, and help the USDA find and American case of BSE.

This second choice may sound a bit to conspiracy theory for some, but give it some thought.

Have a great day all, it looks like a pleasant one ahead here in southern Alberta.