Organization for Competitive Markets
P.O. Box 6486
Lincoln, NE 68506
Date: May 6, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steve Cady, 402-792-0041
OCM Supports Gateway Beef’s
Petition to Voluntarily Test for BSE
Lincoln, NE ~ The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) announced today that it supports Gateway Beef Cooperative’s efforts to restore its niche markets by testing 100 percent of the animals it slaughters for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).
The Overland, Missouri-based meat processor petitioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on May 2, requesting permission to perform the voluntary testing, saying the plan is “a viable way for independent processors to compete by reestablishing their niche market share.”
Last month, USDA declined to approve a similar petition from Arkansas City, Kansas-based Creekstone Farms, which had reached an agreement with the Japanese government permitting Creekstone to export to Japan if the animals from which the companys’ products are derived are tested for the brain-wasting disease. On April 6 OCM issued a press release supporting Creekstone in the company’s effort to restore its Asian market access.
“Our Japanese customers have indicated they are willing to pay for the costs associated with BSE testing,” said Gateway Beef Cooperative president Robbie Meyer. “The rigorous testing will help restore the confidence of our Japanese customers. Scientifically, minimum food safety testing standards have been set, but our case is strictly based on meeting the demands of our international customers.”
OCM president Fred Stokes said, “We completely support Gateway Beef in the company’s endeavor to meet their customers’ requests. Gateway has developed a testing protocol that meets the Japanese safety standards, and the company should be permitted to move ahead with their plan. It’s obvious that the Japanese will not be bullied into submission on this issue. They want 100 percent testing and at least two U.S. companies are willing to provide it. USDA should not stand in the way.”
The Organization
for Competitive Markets (OCM) is a multidisciplinary, nonprofit group of
farmers, ranchers, academics, attorneys and policy makers dedicated to
reclaiming the agricultural marketplace for independent farmers, ranchers and
rural communities. OCM helps lead the
Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project which is a voluntary contribution
program funding the effort to increase demand for U.S. cattle and beef in open
and competitive markets.