"Illinois cattlemen will not support any attempt to supplement or replace the Beef Checkoff with the 1996 Act. The 1996 Act is simply not a proper fit for the beef industry," Adams said. "The industry's Beef Checkoff program enjoys the support of a vast majority of beef producers, as it should. Recent research shows that it returns $11.20 for every dollar invested. To impose a new checkoff without a referendum and to lay the control of that program in the hands of the federal government will jeopardize our industry's research and promotion efforts for political gain."
Secretary Vilsack announced to representatives of various stakeholder groups on Sept. 30 that he intended the USDA's Agriculture Marketing Service to begin drafting a proposed rule to implement a supplemental checkoff under the 1996 Act.
"The foundation of the 1985 Beef Checkoff is the participation of state beef councils," Adams said. "Through the state beef councils, grassroots producers invest and direct programs that build demand for their product and help direct research and promotion dollars on the state and national level. By comparison, the 1996 Act is a top down, federally controlled program that not only fails to recognize the role of the states, but places the control and administration of promotion dollars in the hands of bureaucrats in Washington D.C. We oppose greater government control of our industry and heavy-handed, federally-mandated action by giving more power to the federal government."
More information can be found at www.beefUSA.org and producers can sign a petition directing the administration to abandon their efforts to take over the Checkoff here.
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