050420 Patrick Boyle on Why Cattle Industry Is So Divided

American Meat Institute President Patrick Boyle answered some questions at a recent meat industry conference:

1) Please provide a description of your membership?

The American Meat Institute is the oldest and largest trade association representing packers and processors of meat and poultry products Together, AMI's members process the majority of meat and poultry produced in North America. AMI' s members include large and small packers and processors, as well as those who supply the industry with equipment, ingredients and other services.

2) How did the beef industry become so divided?

I take issue with the premise of your question. The beef industry is largely united, but today we are experiencing the "tyranny of the minority." One vocal group is attempting to speak on behalf of the the U.S. beef industry when the vast majority of the industry sees the value of free and open trade in beef and cattle, based on science and international guidelines.

Certainly, we've seen tensions in the beef industry wax and wane because all segments of the industry are seldom profitable at the same time . On occasions, we've heard calls for mandatory price reporting, bans on packer's ability to own livestock, country-of-origin labeling and other misguided efforts to change a fundamental reality of the beef business: persistent volatility.

Still, there is a common bond that unite s us. It was the desire to produce high quality beef, satisfy our customers and market our products globally.

Science and international standards clearly justify the "majority" position: free and open beef and cattle trade. We cannot permit the short-sighted and short term interests of a minority trump the long term interests of the U.S. beef industry. On that point, our industry is largely united.

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