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New organization takes on liberal activists
Most American farmers and ranchers are proud of what they produce. They feel their agricultural production and marketing system is the best in the world, but can always use updating and improving. Those who feel that way had better pay attention to shifting undercurrents and policy efforts. Unlikely coalitions are plotting a revolution--an "extreme makeover" of the American agricultural system to satisfy totally different goals than those of historic mainstream farmers and ranchers.
This extreme makeover would put new government restrictions on who would be allowed to own cattle in the U.S., gut the U.S. Department of Agriculture of agricultural officials, roll back scientific advances in meat inspection, break up the modern processing and retail grocery system and overhaul international trade to hamper the export of high quality U.S. products to global markets. Legal attacks against the beef industry's self-help research and promotion program and attempts to undermine consumer confidence in beef are other examples of divisive actions in the industry.
This extreme makeover would put new government restrictions on who would be allowed to own cattle in the U.S., gut the U.S. Department of Agriculture of agricultural officials, roll back scientific advances in meat inspection, break up the modern processing and retail grocery system and overhaul international trade to hamper the export of high quality U.S. products to global markets. Legal attacks against the beef industry's self-help research and promotion program and attempts to undermine consumer confidence in beef are other examples of divisive actions in the industry.
And surprisingly, these actions have featured unprecedented cooperation between several smaller agricultural groups and traditional farm adversary activist groups, forming a loose coalition of liberal activist groups (LAG). Fringe farm groups have teamed up with Nader-founded consumer activist groups and some faith-based factions. They are attempting to revive the theory of a populist, more socially correct system of agriculture as opposed to the free enterprise, capitalist system the U.S. has used to build our current world agricultural superiority.
The Livestock Marketing Association, a group of some auction markets opposed to the checkoff program, has spearheaded the effort, joined by activist groups like Public Citizen. These actions are attempts to turn back the clock, to destroy the current economic system, eliminate innovation and damage the interests of consumers.
Allying with groups outside agriculture who favor centrally-planned, government-limited industries directed by bureaucrats appointed from environmental, radical activist or socialist organizations is not in tune with traditional American agriculture.
The bottom line is that these fringe agricultural groups are not happy with the present free enterprise, capitalist system. They do not like the changes the industry has made to adapt to the modern, real world. And they are filing lawsuits to attempt to force the clock back. The silent majority--at least in the beef industry--is no longer willing to remain silent, however.
The bottom line is that these fringe agricultural groups are not happy with the present free enterprise, capitalist system. They do not like the changes the industry has made to adapt to the modern, real world. And they are filing lawsuits to attempt to force the clock back. The silent majority--at least in the beef industry--is no longer willing to remain silent, however.
A new group--the Agribusiness Freedom Foundation--has been formed to provide a voice for the majority who prefer improving the system rather than destroying it. The AFF will counter the contrary coalition of fringe agricultural groups, activist "consumer" groups and opponents of the free market who have evidently concluded that the present system must go.
The AFF has been formed to point out the dangers in a wholesale wrecking of the American agriculture system, indeed the entire food chain, just to protect the franchises of certain backward-looking groups and individuals. AFF does not think that turning the system over to activist groups is an improvement on our present system. The fork in the road we are facing now is not one we can go back and re-take later.
The Agribusiness Freedom Foundation promotes free market principles throughout the agricultural food chain.
The AFF believes it is possible to value the traditions and heritage of the past while embracing the future and the changes it brings.
The AFF is a communications and educational initiative striving to preserve the freedom of the agricultural food chain to operate and innovate in order to continue the success of American agriculture.
The AFF--freedom watchdog for American agriculture.
--Steve Dittmer, Executive Vice President, Agribusiness Freedom Foundation, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Date: 11/23/04
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