Gateway petitions USDA
letter to Ann M Veneman
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United States Department of Agriculture
Room 200A, Jamie L. Whitten Building
14th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250
Dear Secretary Veneman:
I write today on behalf of the 58 farmer-members of Gateway Beef Cooperative to request authority to perform voluntary bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) testing of 100 percent of the cattle slaughtered at our facility. In the past, we have worked closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development office to develop niche markets that demand prime Certified Angus Beef. We have worked closely with both your department and the European Union to become verified hormone-free and open difficult markets with consumers in Europe, and we are very appreciative of your prior assistance.
Regrettably, the discovery of BSE on Dec. 23, 2003, collapsed our niche markets when nearly sixty countries closed their borders to U.S. beef. In order to resume exports to our valuable foreign customers, we feel that it is imperative to utilize all of the marketing advantages at our disposal, including the BioRad Rapid Test approved to test for BSE. We do not have a lab onsite and are willing to work with you to determine which BSE testing kits and lab testing locations are suitable to meet your standards.
Our Japanese customers have indicated they are willing to pay for the costs associated with BSE testing. We feel 100 percent testing for BSE is a viable way for independent processors, like Gateway, to compete by reestablishing our niche market. Also, 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. We believe it is USDA�s duty to do anything in its power to reestablish beef trade, and our request is a step in the right direction. Thank you for your attention to our request and we look forward to continuing the working relationship between USDA and Gateway Beef Cooperative.
Sincerely,
Robbie Meyer
President, Gateway Beef Cooperative
Cc: Undersecretary J.B. Penn, Undersecretary William Hawks, Chief of Staff Dale Moore
Gateway Beef Cooperative President Robbie Meyer said he has mailed U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman a letter requesting permission to perform voluntary bovine spongiform encephalopathy testing of 100 percent of the cattle slaughtered at Gateway's facility. The letter, a copy of which is posted on the Overland, Mo.-based co-op's Web site, says co-op officials believe 100 percent voluntary testing for BSE 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, Kan.-based Creekstone Farms, which had reached an agreement with the Japanese government that the company's beef would be welcome for import to that country if all of it were tested for BSE. Japan is one of more than 50 countries that halted the import of U.S. beef after the Dec. 23 discovery of a single case of BSE in a Washington state cow. It is the only country that tests all its product for the brain-wasting disease. Meyer says that in order to resume exports to valuable foreign customers, the cooperative members feel it is imperative to utilize all of the marketing advantages at their disposal.
"Our Japanese customers have indicated they are willing to pay for the costs associated with BSE testing," said Meyer. "We feel 100 percent testing for BSE is a viable way for independent processors, like Gateway, to compete by reestablishing our niche market. Also, 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."
A USDA spokesman did not return two telephone calls seeking comment.
