MEDIA ADVISORY -TELE-NEWS CONFERENCE - Outcomes of the Five Nations Beef Conference

WASHINGTON, DC (October 3, 2001) - Please join the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and representatives from the world’s top beef producing countries (Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Mexico), for a news conference on the outcomes of the Five Nations Beef Conference. Participants may attend the news conference at

Radisson Hotel Santa Barbara

Vista Room

1111 East Cbrillo Boulevard

Santa Barbara, CA

Telephone: 805-963-0744

Or participate via telephone by dialing 703-736-7226 or 800-283-1485 and entering passcode: 5575063

Featured speakers are:

Mr. Lynn Cornwell, President, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Mr. Peter Milne

President, Cattle Council of Australia

Mr. John Morrison

President, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association

Mr. Gustavo Torres

President, Confederacion Nacional Ganadera

Mr. Tim Brittain

Director, Meat New Zealand (New Zealand Meat Board) After brief remarks, speakers will answer questions. Attached you will find a backgrounder on the Five Nations Beef Conference, along with a list of conference topics and quotes from participants. Please RSVP to Alisa Harrison or Wendy Woodburn.

Background:

The Five Nations Beef Conference is a meeting of cattle producers from the beef producer associations of:

Australia (Cattle Council of Australia);

Canada (Canadian Cattlemen’s Association);

Mexico (Confederacion Nacional Ganadera);

New Zealand (Meat New Zealand); and

The United States (National Cattlemen’s Beef Association)

The Five Nations Beef Conference was started in 1983 and designed to meet every 18 months, on a rotating host country basis. Following is the principle statement for the Five Nations Beef Conference:

“To meet or exceed global consumers’ expectations in respect of beef, while eliminating non-scientific and political trade restrictions for the benefit of all beef producers.”

The five nations organizations recognize the importance of working together to develop an international strategy to effect meaningful change in support of the overriding principle. The conference is structured to allow for discussion and consensus building on issues of common concern.

The 2001 Five Nations Beef Conference topics are:

· Beef Industry Promotion

· Animal Identification and Labeling

· Trade Issues Impacting the Beef Industry

· Environmental Issues Impacting the Beef Industry

· Beef Quality and Safety

· Technology and the beef industry

“We place a high priority on participation in the Five Nations Beef Conference, said Peter Milne, President of the Cattle Council of Australia. “The alliances created through the conference assist the Australian beef industry and lead to a more unified world industry.”

“It is our hope that we emerge from this meeting with a greater understanding of beef industry operations differ and are similar within our markets and our countries,” said John Morrison, President of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. “We would like consensus on issues with mutual concern.”

“The Mexican Cattlemen support fair trade and the opening of new markets,” said Gustavo Porres, President of the Confederacion Nacional Ganadera, the Mexican Cattle Association. “Participation in the Five Nations Beef Council helps us reach new markets by working together cooperatively.”

“In these uncertain times, it is important that consumer confidence in beef is maintained,” said Kim Brittain, director Meat New Zealand. “I am hopeful that the Five Nations Beef Conference will suggest ways in which we can act collectively to boost beef demand.”

“We are please to host the Five Nations Beef Conference,” said Lynn Cornwell, President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “Working together we can find ways to add value and resolve challenges.”

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Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the trade association of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.