06/01/05 Beef check-off stays, Part two

There is no question that the debate over the constitutionality of the Beef Check-off program as a form of government protected speech, and therefore, deemed constitutional under the First Amendment, has brought some divisiveness in the beef industry. But now that the U.S. Supreme Court has sided with the Cattlemen's Beef Board that the Check-Off is indeed government protected speech, now comes time for the various parties in the case to come together and work to strengthen their industry. SVAJGR: I think we're going to find out that we need to mend some fences. I think as we go forward we will also look for new programs and new ways to really invest the dollars from our producers. So this is a program that's a self help program and that's the way we intend to keep it. And what Al Svajgr of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association means is that input from the numerous ranchers and beef producers are needed to shape future promotions and marketing efforts. That is one way the healing process can begin. The Livestock Marketing Association, which brought the initial challenge of the Beef Check-off all the way to the Supreme Court, says while they respect the High Court's ruling, the organization and its members hope the case sends a message to U.S.D.A. and the Beef Board that yes, greater involvement in Beef Check-off decisions is expected by those being assessed. MCBRIDE: We would hope that the Beef Board and all those that have strongly supported the check-off will see the need after all this battle to give producers a regular vote, after all this battle to give producers a regular vote, after all, it's a program they finance and we think they should have the right to vote. L.M.A. Communications Director John McBride says he too hopes the industry can meet to find common ground on issues pertaining to the Beef Check-Off. Never the less, the organization's board next month will consider whether or not L.M.A. will try to get another referendum on the Check-Off for producers in court. And even with the High Court's ruling, it does not mean all legal challenges over the Beef check-off have concluded. The original challenge started when U.S.D.A. ruled L.M.A. did not gather enough valid signatures to force a referendum. That part of the case was sent to lower courts for adjudication, but was put on hold as L.M.A. pursued the constitutionality issue. N.C.B.A.'s Terry Stokes acknowledges there might be some work ahead to sooth hard feelings in the beef industry. STOKES: We hope that now is the time that the industry can come together in unity and resolve those issues and move forward on a positive basis for the industry. In our next program, what the Supreme Court ruling means for state beef councils and promotion of their commodity.