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R-CALF convention focuses on trade, meat labeling

The head of R-CALF USA says Trump administration trade policy is on the right track.  Instead of trade discussion only being about exports, it’s now about balanced trade, according to Bill Bullard.

“We’re calculating the net effects of our trade policies based on exports minus imports,” Bullard told Brownfield Ag News Thursday, “and this administration recognizes that we have been accruing a huge deficit that is harming our U.S. economy.”

That’s part of the discussion at the R-CALF annual convention Friday and Saturday in Rapid City, South Dakota, said Bullard.  Intertwined is the issue of country of origin labeling.  R-CALF is pushing for labels that Bullard said more clearly indicate the origin of beef.

“The animal from which this beef was derived was born, raised and slaughtered here in the United States of America,” said Bullard, referring to the wording that R-CALF would like to see on country of origin labels.  “The born, raised and slaughtered standard is what we’re seeking.”

Bullard says convention speakers will talk about the negative impacts of recent mergers and acquisitions as well as maintaining farmers’ and ranchers’ independence.

“For two days we’re talk about what it will take to change the trajectory of the U.S. cattle industry,” he said.  “We’re worried that our cattle industry is quickly following the paths of the poultry and hog industries.”

AUDIO: Bill Bullard (7 min. MP3)

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