Mr. SHORT. Mr. Chairman, I certainly appreciate this opportunity to tell you these last few things. I was reluctant to take the time to try to do it when I was testifying before. I know the day was getting late and I did not want to interfere with Mr. Neumann's presentation for the Meat Board, because we heartily support their efforts, and I do not want to leave any intimation that we are trying to detract from them in any way. Mr. POAGE. Well, thank you so much. Judge Montague, do you want to make a statement? STATEMENT OF JOE G. MONTAGUE, ATTORNEY FOR TEXAS AND SOUTHWESTERN CATTLE RAISERS ASSOCIATION Mr. MONTAGUE. Yes, sir; just one minute. Mr. Chairman, I first want to answer one statement that Mr. Shuman made, in which he said that very little interest had been evidenced in this movement throughout the country. I want to file with the clerk for the record here, resolutions from 33 State and national organizations, including 3 State farm bureaus supporting this movement. Mr. POAGE. Without objection. (The documents referred to are as follows:) AMERICAN NATIONAL CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION (Resolutions adopted January 9, 1957) BEEF PROMOTION FUNDS Whereas, we the American National Cattlemen's Association, reaffirm our position that the beef producers are directly concerned with the promotion of beef to bring about an increased consumer demand for beef through an augmented and enlarged producer program of education, research, merchandising and promotion, and That the primary obstacle to financing an effective beef promotion program is the restricting provisions of the Packers and Stockyards Act in respect to voluntary deductions from proceeds of sale of livestock at public markets; therefore be it Resolved, That we support proposed legislation amending the Packers and Stockyards Act whereby any marketing agency may, upon request of a responsible State livestock producer organization, make voluntary deductions, not exceeding 10 cents per head on cattle, payable to the aforesaid livestock producer organization. NATIONAL BEEF COUNCIL Resolved, That we the American National Cattlemen's Association meeting in annual session the 9th day of January 1957, reaffirm our endorsement made on January 12, 1955, in Reno, Nev. and on January 11, 1956, in New Orleans, La., relative to the work done and being done by the National Beef Council. NATIONAL SWINE GROWERS COUNCIL (Policy adopted November 25, 1956) NATIONAL CHECKOFF ON HOGS FAVORED (a) A uniform markoff across the Nation which will obtain funds by voluntary processes. (b) Promotion which shall emphasize product improvement, cooperative research efforts, educational work and merchandising. (c) A checkoff per head which can be maintained over the long run and which will cover useful, effective promotional efforts without permitting easy spending and wastefulness. (d) Coordinate promotional efforts among and prevent conflicts between agencies promoting pork, beef and lamb. (e) Increased support of an expanded program for the National Livestock and Meat Board. NATIONAL WOOL GROWERS ASSOCIATION (Resolution adopted January 24, 1957) A GENERAL MEAT PROMOTION PLAN We recommend that Congress establish a uniform method of collecting funds for meat promotion embodying the following principles: That each segment of the livestock industry determine its own program of advertising and promotion, including the amount of funds necessary; That individual producers shall have the right to request and receive a refund of any money collected. It is the policy of the National Wool Growers Association that a definite proportion of funds collected shall be allocated to the National Live Stock and Meat Board. (A resolution adopted as part of the Lamb Committee report agreed with the principle of deduction for advertising and promotion and suggested that the National Wool Growers Association set up a committee to work on such a program.) CORN BELT LIVESTOCK FEEDERS ASSOCIATION (Resolution adopted February 8, 1957) MEAT PROMOTION The matter of an aggressive and extensive red meat promotion program has been under consideration by various livestock interests for some time. After due consideration, the association feels that in order to compete with other food products and consumers goods, most of which are promoted vigorously, it is imperative that the demand for red meat and meat products be encouraged in a similar manner. The association is mindful of the outstanding work of the National Livestock and Meat Board in its educational and research activities and desires that the work of this board be encouraged and further supported. It is true that the packers and retailers in the Nation are currently spending millions of dollars in advertising, but their programs emphasize prepared meats and brands in the first instance, and cuts and price in the second instance. Since it is believed that the quality and nutritive value of red meat should be further promoted and advertised; And since a satisfactory method of financing such a program is not permissible under the Packers and Stockyards Act, while the producers of other foods, not affected by the Packers and Stockyards Act, are able to finance a promotion program as they choose: Be it Resolved, That the association support the efforts to overcome the obstacles to a voluntary deduction program at time of sale on all livestock and encourage the passage of S. 646 which would do no more than permit the deduction of 10 cents per head on cattle, 5 cents per head on hogs, and 5 cents per head on sheep and lambs on a voluntary basis with respect to both shippers and market agencies. In this the association believes that, not only would adequate funds be available for the promotion and advertising of red meat, but also the current checkoff for the National Livestock and Meat Board would become legal and additional funds would be received for the research and educational programs of that body. COLORADO CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION (Motion passed at executive-advisory committee meeting, January 16, 1957) STATE LEGISLATION FOR CHECKOFF SYSTEM A motion was made by Mr. Burghart that Colorado Cattlemen's Association go on record favoring the introduction of adequate legislation in our current State legislature to provide for a voluntary checkoff, not to exceed 10 cents per head on all cattle sold; this money to be used for promotion, research, and sales of beef. We prefer the collection by the brand inspectors, but will leave the method and wording of such a bill to our legislative committee. This motion was seconded by Mr. Horn. Rollcall vote as follows: 1,713 voted "Yes"; 17 voted "No"; 288 passed. (Resolution No. 2 adopted at the 89th annual convention of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association, Colorado Springs, Colo., May 25, 1956) BEEF PROMOTION Whereas we in the livestock industry have long realized the need for a concentrated effort for beef promotion coordinated through a State beef council representing all segments of industry; and Whereas, if such a council is to effectively carry out a coordinated beef promotion program, there must be a system which will assure the financing of such a program: Therefore be it Resolved, That we approve the voluntary checkoff system at our central markets and at our sale rings to not exceed more than 10 cents a head; this voluntary 10-cents-a-head checkoff to be simultaneously started August 15, 1956, at our central markets and sale rings, and livestock auctions; be it further Resolved, That this 10-cents-per-head deduction include 2 cents to be remitted to the National Livestock Meat Board and 8 cents to the State and national beef councils; be it further Resolved, That the board of control study the feasibility of supporting legislation that would change the proposed checkoff system to a checkoff system by brand inspection applicable only to transfer of ownership. COLORADO BEEF COUNCIL (Motion passed at board of directors' meeting, July 6, 1956) PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS ACT FOR BEEF PROMOTION DEDUCTIONS Following a discussion of Senate bill S. 4135 which was introduced by Senators Mundt, of South Dakota, Eastland, of Mississippi, and Schoeppel, of Kansas, a motion was made by Mr. Heckendorf that the Colorado Beef Council recommend the passage of S. 4135 or similar legislation. This motion was seconded by Mr. Carruth and unanimously passed. (Motion passed at board of directors' meeting, Colorado Beef Council, February 19, 1957) BEEF PROMOTION CHECKOFF Following a discussion of ways and means best suited for beef promotion checkoff in Colorado, the following motion was made by Mr. Smutz that the Colorado Beef Council favor legislation that would enable the State board of stock inspection commissioners to collect up to 10 cents per head for beef promotion, research and marketing, and with recognized organizations, agencies representing the cattle business. The motion was seconded by Mr. Nelson and unanimously passed. NATIONAL GRANGE (Action supported at 90th annual convention, Rochester, N. Y., Individual commodity programs, specially designed to meet the production and marketing requirements of each commodity in relation to every other commodity. AMERICAN NATIONAL CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION (85th annual convention held at Reno, Nev., January 10-12, 1955) RESOLUTION NO. 1. PROPOSED BEEF COUNCIL Resolved by the American National Cattlemen's Association, in convention assembled at Reno, Nev., January 12, 1955, That its president is hereby authorized and directed promptly to take such steps as he may deem proper to sponsor establishment of a beef council further to encourage the consumption of beef and beef products. The proposed beef council, enlisting the support of all segments of the beef industry, should serve as a coordinating body for continuing and expanding the present effective promotional activities of National, State, and local cattle organizations and coordinating these activities with those of other industry groups. The council should be empowered to plan, initiate, and carry on such research, promotional, and organizational activities as it may find practical and necessary. (New Orleans, La., January 9-11, 1956) RESOLUTION NO. 4. NATIONAL BEEF COUNCIL Resolved, That Jay Taylor, president of the National Beef Council and the other officers of that organization be commended for their leadership and effort in organizing the National Beef Council to promote the sale and consumption of beef; That the American National approves the organizational structure of the National Beef Council, its type of membership, purposes, and objectives, and that Forest Noel be commended for his work in the interests of the cattle industry as its executive director. That we approve membership in the National Beef Council as the first national member of that organization; That we urge the cooperation of the Department of Agriculture to aid, rather than hinder, the efforts of the State beef council members in adopting and inaugurating State programs for the voluntary deduction of funds from the proceeds of sale of cattle through recognized marketing agencies to be used for the purpose of beef promotion and that it instruct the Packers and Stockyards Division to recognize validly constituted State beef councils as the proper agency within any State for the handling of such funds; That we endorse and approve the program and statement of policy as presented by Forest Noel and recommend the adoption of a budget by the National Beef Council for its national program of beef promotion as outlined and set forth in such report and that such budget be met by the cattle industry itself by States, according to the volume of cattle sales in each State. NEBRASKA STOCK GROWERS ASSOCIATION The Nebraska Stock Growers Association reaffirms its position that livestock producers recognize there is a need for a producer-sponsored educational and promotional campaign by which to improve their economic situation. We realize that the primary obstacle to financing an effective beef promotion program is the restricting provisions of the Packers and Stockyards Act with respect to voluntary deductions from proceeds of sale of livestock at public markets. The Nebraska Stock Growers Association hereby offers its support of S. 4135 amending the Packers and Stockyards Act whereby any marketing agency may, upon request of a responsible State livestock producer organization, make voluntary deductions not exceeding 10 cents per head on cattle, payable to the aforesaid producer organization. NORTH DAKOTA STOCKMEN'S ASSOCIATION Resolved, The North Dakota Stockmen's Association commends the efforts of the North Dakota Beef Council and the National Beef Council and express our approval of the voluntary point of sale deduction method of financing State and national beef promotion. ALABAMA CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION Whereas, we, the Alabama Cattlemen's Association, reaffirm our position that the beef producers are directly concerned with the promotion beef to bring about an increased consumer demand for beef through an augmented and enlarged producer program of education, research, merchandising and promotion, and That the primary obstacle to financing an effective beef promotion program is the restricting provision of the Packers and Stockyards Act in respect to voluntary deductions from proceeds of sale of livestock at public markets: Therefore be it Resolved, That we support proposed legislation amending the Packers and Stockyards Act whereby any marketing agency may, upon request of a responsible State livestock producer organization, make voluntary deductions, payable to the aforesaid livestock producer organization. NEVADA STATE CATTLE ASSOCIATION Whereas the portion of the consumer's dollar spent for beef has been declining in spite of the fact that an hour's labor buys more beef today than ever before, and Whereas present cattle prices do not return costs of production to most producers, and Whereas aggressive advertising and promotion by competitive foods is resulting in expanding sales of these products to the detriment of beef: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Nevada State Cattle Association endorses and supports the principles, objectives and organization of the National Beef Council and urges support of its program for aggressive competitive advertising and promotion of beef on a national basis; further, be it Resolved, That the Nevada State Cattle Association urges the American National Cattlemen's Association and other interested organizations to support the efforts of the National Beef Council to obtain national legislation which will permit collection of funds on an equitable basis to support advertising and promotion of our products. Finally, the Nevada State Cattle Association commends the long-established research and educational activities of the National Livestock and Meat Board in behalf of all red meat and urges close cooperation between the beef councils and the meat board. TENNESSEE LIVESTOCK ASSOCIATION CONVENTION NO. 8-SENATE BILL NO. 646 Whereas the beef, swine, and sheep producers have, through their respective councils, reached agreement as to certain amendments to the Packers and Stockyards Act; |