Publisher's Statement

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reading testimony and comments from both the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) regarding Brazilian beef imports and trade. They don’t agree on everything, but both have raised important questions that deserve our attention.

American cattlemen aren’t asking for a handout. We’re asking for a level playing field.

Whether they’re farmers in Iowa or ranchers in Montana, America’s cattlemen do things the right way. We invest in meeting the standards expected of us. We do it because it’s the right thing to do, because our customer—the American consumer—expects it, and because that’s who we are.

Those decisions aren’t always the cheapest. But they’ve helped make American beef the finest in the world. More importantly, they’ve built trust.

American consumers trust the families who raise their beef. They trust that we’ll care for our livestock, our land, and the product that ends up on their dinner table. Our fathers and grandfathers built that trust. It’s our job to keep it.

So here’s what I struggle with.

If American cattlemen are expected to meet these standards, why shouldn’t imported beef be expected to meet comparable standards before it enters our marketplace?

This isn’t about asking for special treatment. It’s about asking for fair treatment.

American cattlemen shouldn’t be placed at a competitive disadvantage because they choose to do things the right way. At the same time, American consumers deserve the confidence of knowing that everyone selling beef in this country is competing under comparable standards.

Today, the discussion is about Brazil. Tomorrow it may be another country. My point doesn’t change. If you’re selling beef in the United States, you should compete under standards similar to those expected of America’s cattlemen.

American cattlemen have never been afraid of competition. We compete every day. We simply believe everyone selling beef into the American marketplace should be expected to compete under comparable rules.

Our consumers deserve that confidence.
Our producers deserve that fairness.
That isn’t protectionism.
That’s common sense.

Take Care,
Gale