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USDA should represent producers, not businesses Upon reading the editorial columns in the April 12th edition of the Journal, I was compelled to submit a few of my feelings on current issues affecting our livestock cattle industry. Information used in Holly Martin's opinion column pointed out that, according to survey results, the urban consumer is concerned about having a healthy food supply, produced humanely, and with regard for the environment. Survey inforrmaiton also indicated that these same consumers felt that American farmers and ranchers are doing a good job in these areas of concern.The column agreed with this and stated that the consumer has a right to what they eat and that a small minority should not dictate to the majority. I agree and also feel that this is an opportune time for the American agriculture industry to continue to provide a safe and wholesome food supply-not just to us, but to the entire world-if we can offer exactly what they want at a reasonable price. The adjacent column submitted by a person or group hiding behind a fictitious name (Seymour Kleirly) berated the USDA for even considering Creekstone Farms' request to market BSE tested beef to our largest foreign consumer group. The article began by stating that the USDA "The people's department" has squandered much of its congressional support and the confidence of many "folks" in the livestock industry. We need to always remember that the USDA's charge is to represent us "the folks" not some group or conglomerate developed primarily to make money not food. It is my opinion that the author of the Washington Whispers column represents some group or school of thought that says the European Union shouldn't require hormone-free beef and that the global consumer shouldn't object to genetically modified grain or produce or that the American consumer doesn't deserve country-of-origin labeling so they can decide whether or not to purchase the millions of pounds of cheap foreign beef imported into this country and sold at the same price as the quality product we produce here. It is not my objection to the voicing of a different opinion that caused me to write. It is the ability of this group, and others, to hold Congress by the ear with one hand and the USDA by the scruff of the neck with the other while they voice their opinion that I object to. -----Bill Sweeden, Pawhuska, OK
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