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R-CALF delegation returns, still opposes CAFTA
Tuesday, July 5, 2005, 3:08 PM

by Tom Steever

A delegation representing R-CALF USA just back from a fact finding mission to Central America remains skeptical of the Central American Free Trade Agreement.

In a telephone news conference Tuesday, members of the delegation cited improved cattle genetics in Central America as well as a climate that is well suited to producing beef.

“The quality of the Brahman cattle that we observed there was quite significant, much more improved, actually, than some of the cattle we have here in Mississippi,� said Joel Gill, R-CALF USA’s state membership chairman in Mississippi and president of the Mississippi Livestock Marketing Association. “One further thing we noted is that while English breeds could not take the heat in the lower coastal plains, they could do very well and do quite nicely in the some of the upper elevations.�

Pointing out that poultry litter is fed to some cows in the U.S., Missouri veterinarian Dr. Max Thornsberry said in the news conference that Central American cattlemen feed the product universally to more classes and ages of cattle. Thornsberry says that poses a greater BSE risk in Central American cattle. Dr. Thornsberry also pointed out, however, that there have been no cases of BSE discovered there.

R-CALF USA is opposed to the pending agreement that would liberalize trade between the United States and five Central American Countries plus the Dominican Republic. The U.S. Senate last week approved the measure and the House is expected to take it up upon their return from the July 4th recess.

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