Tues., Jun 25 02 - Beef Checkoff Supporters Will Not Give Up Easily

Suggested Lead:

Supporters of the beef checkoff will not give up easily, says Iowa beef producer Wythe Willey, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Willey is referring to a federal court decision last Friday declaring the checkoff unconstitutional as the result of a lawsuit filed by the Livestock Marketing Organization and Western Organization of Resource Councils. These groups now imply they didn’t necessarily want to end the checkoff program.

Cut #1        :20            Outcue: "...win in the end."

This is an extremely sensitive time for the beef industry, according to Willey, and a poor time to be doing away with the industry’s only self-help program.

Cut #2        :28            Outcue: "...in the past few years."

Willey says efforts to boost beef demand through the checkoff will continue as long as possible while the Bush Administration, a supporter of the checkoff, considers its options to appeal.

Cut #3        :16            Outcue: "...with what we’ve got."

Independent surveys conducted twice a year since the checkoff began in 1986 indicate that support among cattle producers has always remained above 60 percent. Willey says the judge’s decision thwarts the will of a majority of U.S. beef producers.