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Editorial -- Canadian beef border must remain closed Tuesday, February 8, 2005
The Bush administration should immediately pull the plug on its unwise decision to reopen the U.S. border to Canadian beef imports in the wake of new mad cow cases. The decision to lift the ban makes no sense and could shake consumer confidence in the safety of beef.
Canadian beef producers have suffered tremendously because of the ban -- cull cow prices have been in the tank, and the nation is anxious to re-enter the U.S. market. U.S. beef producers are plenty anxious themselves.
The bloom is off the Atkins Diet craze, and feedlots are taking in more cattle while feeder prices are high. Then there is the matter of prying open the Japanese markets, which U.S. negotiators have been trying to do for many months. The Japanese market is critical because that market devoured $1.7 billion in meat sales in 2003, before the Canadian-born cow infected with mad cow was found in Washington state.
Japanese-U.S. negotiators only recently announced they are moving closer to deal to allow limited access to the Japanese markets. The hurdle is that Japan isn't comfortable with the United States' ability to identify the age of beef. Japan wants the beef from animals younger than 21 months.
The Bush administration remains firmly behind its decision based on its belief that the food safety system in both countries will adequately protect consumers. The White House also sent a team to Canada to investigate the cases.
The administration's position is supported by Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, who pointed out that the border was originally closed due to health and safety question. Those who don't think those questions have been adequately answered yet understandably want the ban to remain until more is learned about the mad cow cases in Canada.
Country of origin labeling is more than a side issue. Citing costs of labeling, beef producers and many producers oppose labeling. While the position may make sense short-term, it is a long-term problem that won't go away. Consumers -- who want more information than ever -- will expect to know where the food products they buy come from.
Country of origin could provide that, but it won't happen unless packers and some producers remove their blinders and face reality. European Union labeling requirements seem to work well and have helped create a boomlet in locally produced food. Their model may just work here and provide similar benefits.
The ultimate judge will be U.S. consumers, who so far have shown great confidence in U.S. beef producers and their products. It would be a shame if the U.S. government -- in a bid to pacify packers and Canada -- opt to cave-in and allow our borders to be opened.
There is certainly no reason to do so in March. |
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