10/05/07 Cattle group wants Beef Checkoff change to promote U.S. beef

Washington Ag October 5, 2007 Right now national beef check off funds can only promote generic beef, not U.S. beef specifically. The U.S. Cattlemen's Association representative in Washington D.C. Jess Peterson, told the recent Fall Roundup of the Cattle Producers of Washington, the USCA wants to change that. Peterson: "There is nothing better than hearing the good old Sam Elliot commercial. Everyone recognizes the "Beef it's what's for dinner" and the good advertisements but it is a generic product. My gosh, our hero, our American cowboy icon Sam Elliot could be talking about Mexican beef. Could be talking New Zealand. He is not talking about the American cowboy and the production we have with U.S. beef. And all we are asking is an amendment through Congress that would allow an earmark of just a portion of beef check off dollars to promote U.S. beef." Peterson says that can build on mandatory country of origin labeling, which is to be in place next September. If this is something you support, Peterson says: Peterson: "Every rancher, any listener that has an interest, give me a call at 202-870-3867. Or log on the website www.uscattlemen.org and we have the information. Sign up!" Peterson says the U.S. Cattlemen's Association does not have an amount yet of check off funds that should be used for U.S. beef only promotion. I'm Bob Hoff.