13 August 2012

2 minute read

North America

OCM President and Director Fred Stokes stated during a press briefing that Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is helping fund its efforts to file the lawsuit.

OCM Vice President Mike Callicrate said that OCM plans to address the corruption of mandatory programmes, which it claims are largely funded by family farmers and ranchers and then used to advance programems that run counter to their own best interests.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President J.D. Alexander expressed disgust at the announcement.

"OCM claims to advocate for a fair, competitive agricultural marketplace; however, in doing so it partnered with an organisation known for its anti-agriculture agenda."

According to Mr Alexander, independent research shows the beef checkoff is supported by nearly 75 per cent of cattlemen and women.

“HSUS is an organization going state by state vowing to end production agriculture by outlawing scientifically validated production practices in animal agriculture. Their efforts put people out of business and often jeopardise the well-being of livestock,” said Mr Alexander.

Mr Alexander, who is also an independent cattle feeder from Pilger, Nebraska, said it is paramount for cattlemen and cattlewomen to know that OCM is working with an extremist animal rights group to disable a program dedicated to building demand for beef.

“Their actions will impact consumers by increasing protein costs at the grocery store. They are no friend to family farmers and ranchers or consumers and will be challenged at every corner by NCBA,” said Mr Alexander. “Animal agriculture is vital to sustaining food production and we will not sit by and allow these organisations to stifle our ability to mitigate hunger and feed people here and abroad.”

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