FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tricia Falter
tfalter@missourifarmersunion.org
573.659.4787

Independent Packers Fight to Survive

TRT: Cut #1 :17
Cut #2 :20
Cut #3 :20

National Farmers Union

04-23-04

Independent Packers Fight to Survive

Actualities: Russ Kremer, Member of the Gateway Beef Cooperative, and John Tarpoff, Manager of the Gateway Beef Cooperative.

The Gateway Beef Cooperative announced that they are prepared to voluntarily test all their cattle for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and provide a specific product to their overseas buyers if the U.S. Department of Agriculture allows them the opportunity.

The board of directors of the Missouri based co-op will send a letter to USDA next week requesting permission to test all of their cattle for BSE in order to supply their buyers with the product they request. However, with the recent decision by USDA regarding Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, a private producer and processor of U.S. beef, co-op members are not hopeful their request will be granted.

Russ Kremer, a board member of the Gateway Beef Coop, said USDA’s decision is a slap in the face to small processors….tape

Cut #1 :17 O.C…… “the government reconsiders.”

Gateway Beef Cooperative provides a niche product that has captured the attention of major Japanese buyers who, before the BSE incident in Washington state, agreed to purchase beef from the co-op. Since the discovery of one BSE-infected cow in December 2003, Japan and 57 other countries have banned U.S. beef. However, Kremer explained that the Japanese buyers are willing to proceed with their earlier agreement if Gateway Beef can fulfill Japanese requirements of testing 100 percent of their cattle for BSE….tape

Cut #2 :20 O.C…… “pay for it.”

John Tarpoff, manager of Gateway Beef, explained that USDA’s decision to not allow processing plants like Gateway Beef to provide a niche market to their buyers could result in smaller processing plants closing their doors….tape

Cut #3 :20 O.C…… “able to export.”

Tarpoff concluded that he has spoken with Creekstone officials and although Creekstone has not made a decision on their next move with USDA, the small independent processors have to stick together in order to survive.

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