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R-CALF CEO calls Brazilian beef action ‘terribly reckless’
“Terribly reckless” is how Bill Bullard, CEO of cattle organization R-CALF USA, describes the USDA’s Brazilian beef announcement.
Bullard says Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack’s decision to reopen the U.S. market to fresh and frozen Brazilian beef exposes the U.S. cattle herd to “an unnecessary and avoidable risk of disease”.
“Brazil still has a Foot-and-Mouth Disease endemic through the northern part of the country,” Bullard says. “So we are exposing our industry to an unnecessary risk, not just to FMD, but other diseases as well.”
Bullard says U.S. consumers will also be at risk because Brazil lacks the resources and infrastructure to maintain health and safety standards equal to the U.S.
As part of the agreement, Brazil has also reopened its market to U.S. beef. Vilsack says Brazil offers excellent long-term potential for U.S. beef exporters, especially for higher quality cuts which have greatest appeal to middle-class consumers.
But Bullard is doubtful.
“Brazil is already the third largest (beef) exporter in the world. It has the second largest cattle herd in the world and it produces far more beef than its domestic market can consume,” he says.
Bullard accuses Vilsack of “advocating the interests of multinational meatpackers at the expense of independent U.S. farmers and ranchers and consumers”.
AUDIO: Bill Bullard
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