Thank you for putting together some comments and interviews concerning Beef Checkoff tax (“Attack on Beef Checkoff expands” from Aug. 20 issue).
I call checkoff a tax because when importers import cattle; or U.S. ranchers sell cattle, a dollar is collected by sale barns and whomever collects on importers. U.S. sale barns or companies like Superior Livestock auction are used as tax collectors. Taxes are collected and sent to an organization (Cattlemen’s Beef Board) made up of people appointed by the USDA secretary. Appointees are individuals involved in importation of cattle/beef and individuals involved in U.S. cattle production. Mr. Stuart [CBB Chief Executive Officer Scott Stuart] is correct. The Board is not allowed to comment or lobby. However, the Board distributes taxes collected to one organization, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). NCBA supports imported beef as does CBB. The 1985 Beef Promotion and Research Act requires importers on CBB. This means CBB/NCBA has to support beef, not USA beef exclusively.
NCBA’s comments leads readers to believe federal checkoff has been around for 50 years. As I previously stated checkoff started in 1985. Whomever issued the statement from NCBA also said R-CALF is aligned with Humane Society activist. I would like to see proof of that. Here is a fact about NCBA/CBB, for every dollar collected from a U.S. rancher $.50 goes back to the state Beef Council. For every dollar collected on 578 pounds of imported beef or every head of live imported cattle CBB/NCBA keeps the entire dollar. NCBA/CBB is welcome to dispute that statement. As for state beef council representatives; would a rancher who is not a dues-paying member of NCBA or dues-paying member of a state organization be allowed to sit on a state board?
So, using the word attack seems to be someone’s opinion. Two courts have already agreed that checkoff just supports beef, not USA beef. As a veteran with over 22 years of commissioned service I would like to see checkoff dollars go to support USA beef only. In fact, I would gladly pay $2 per head sold if importers could be removed from CBB. Of course, Congress would have to ignore lobbyist and change the 1985 Act for that to occur. I’m not against imported beef. I just don’t want my tax dollars supporting an organization required by law to support a rancher in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and other countries. By the way, these organizations are against a simple label stating, “Product of USA.”
Respectfully,
Bill Yancey, Captain USN-RET
