What’s at stake with beef imports

“Be always sure you’re right, then go ahead.” - David “Davy” Crockett

I guess my political philosophy is about the same as ol Davy Crockett. Sometimes, I wish I were more strategic, more eloquent or more able to silently suffer the slings and arrows of fools and liars; but alas, I think that I’ll always be just an honest, plain spoken gal. 

When it comes to our industry, and by our industry, I refer to domestic beef production, and ranching in particular, I find myself let down and sickened by our President’s recent knee jerk response to beef prices. 

I absolutely love our President and I do appreciate so much of what he’s done for our nation; but, I am concerned that he has gotten some bad advice when it comes to importing more beef without mandatory country of origin labeling and without the tariffs that our own domestic product is subject to in foreign markets. He’s allowed the big four meat packers to get in his ear, and one in particular, Brazilian giant JBS, now represented by former Trump aide Kellyanne Conway. Not only does JBS have Brazilian mafia ownership ties, but they are master market manipulators. The move to import another 350 metric tons of foreign beef ahead of midterms in order to lower beef prices may be politically expedient; but, it is ultimately shortsighted and directly harms US beef producers. I know that those of us in production agriculture now make up a much smaller percentage of the voting public than we did 20, 50 and 100 years ago; but, we have been steadfast supporters of this President and it hurts to see him led astray by some of the worst actors in the world.

It’s true that our domestic cattle herd is at historically low levels; but, the only way for us to rebuild is to have assurances that markets won’t tumble as we borrow unprecedented billions to buy and retain more breeding stock. Cheap imports without mandatory country of origin labeling or the tariffs that hit our own products in foreign trade only do one thing…strengthen the packer stranglehold on domestic beef markets which is already at 85%. Do you honestly think when their market saturation hits 90% or 95% that prices will drop? Nope, because they will have driven families like mine out of business and they will be the only game in town. And if you still want to eat beef, how about a nice sirloin with a screw worm chaser, or a burger containing beef from over 50 nations including many that have not rid themselves of disease like foot and mouth. Yikes, I’d rather live on home grown yardbird than bite into one of those burgies!

I’m honestly fine with fair imports as long as consumers are clear about what they are buying and eating. I don’t want the blame for any contaminated product that is misleadingly labeled as the USDA now allows. Did you know that a live foreign born and raised beef can come across our borders, stay alive here just 24 hours, then be processed and labeled Product of the USA. Same goes for minimally processed foreign beef, which can be shipped her from more then 50 countries, then repackaged or processed here, finally heading out to your local market or restaurant stamped product of the USA. Those are rules that the packer driven NCBA has shepherded through the USDA over past thirty years.  It’s more than past time to stop the deception of markets and American consumers. If you are willing to eat a burger containing Brazilian, Argentine or Mexican beef (or some combination of over 50 foreign beef importers) and a little bonus protein delivered via a pinch of  New World Screwworm doesn’t bother you, be my guest. I just believe that every American has the absolute right to know where and how our food is produced. 

As a cattle rancher myself, I know that our domestic beef production standards are the best in the world. I’m proud to produce the highest quality, healthiest and most sustainably delivered product in the world. I think we should stop letting our own government institutions lie to us and deceive us. 

I’m a simple soul; but I’m smart enough to know the risks of low quality foreign beef allowed across our borders without common sense standards. It’s a big no thanks for me. 

Kris Stewart is a rancher in Paradise Valley, Nevada.