Foot And Mouth Disease Grips Europe, Spreads (Continued from Page A3O) Beef producers’ statements contradict Argentina’s Agricul ture Secretary Antonio Berhong ara, who said there have been no outbreaks of the highly conta gious virus. If the virus has in fected livestock, Argentina faces trouble regaining its disease-free status, delaying the opening of new markets for exports of its fa mous grass-fed beef. At stake is the country’s $6.9 billion beef industry, which ex ports cattle globally, including to the U.S. Argentine officials are requesting permission to increase its beef tariff rate quotas to the U.S. from 20,000 metric tons to 100,000 metric tons (approxi mately 500,000 head of live cat tle). In spite of the disease out breaks, Brazilian officials an nounced through World Press Agricultural Generators Spectrum Detroit Diesel iSa I KATOII&HT P.T.O. enerators 25 to 135 KW Units in Stock! Service - Rental - New & Used Units In Stock 5 to 2,000 KW Jr^M.MWMWSVS7FMS ■**■■** s* * * £ * * fc Power Generation Systems Specialists V 330 Fonderwhite Road, Lebanon, PA 17042 Call Leonard Martin 717-273-4544 Fax 717-273-5186 -'PM' I. *• * *•* * JJ J-/J iU ijui 4 4J1J.4.4 4 International on Feb. 28 that it expects to receive USDA clear ance by Labor Day to begin ship ping beef to the U.S. Once ap proval is received, Brazil hopes to be a powerhouse in the world beef market, says Agriculture Minister Francisco Turra. Be sides shipping beef into the U.S., Brazil hopes that USDA approv al will open doors into Asian markets, particularly Japan and South Korea. “Many countries, like Japan, are waiting for U.S. food safety approval, and there’s a great deal of interest in Bra zilian beef, which is hormone free,” said Joao Heirelles, a for mer beef industry official, now serving as agriculture secretary for the State of Sao Paolo. He says Brazil plans to pour millions of dollars into an advertising tar geted at consumers’ health con cerns. The campaign will use the English logo, “Brazilian Beef: A Taste of Nature.” With Januar y’s devaluation of Brazilian cur rency, Brazilian beef is cheap. McDonnell says there’s no way Brazilian beef will have clearance by Labor Day in light of the ani mal health problems the country is experiencing. “Their products would have to be certified first, and there’s a rule making pro cess with a comment period in volved. It could be two years be fore Brazil receives USDA clearance.” With the European continent fighting BSE (mad cow disease), news that the fatal disease which affects humans has recently been found in livestock in Germany, France, Italy, and Spain has caused international companies like McDonald’s and Con Agra to suddenly ask suppliers to sign “letters of compliance.” The doc uments require those who slaughter and sell the companies meat to guarantee the animals have not been feed meat and bone meal (MBM), which is one way animals can be infected with BSE. McDonnell says the move is transparent at best. “I have no idea how these companies will apply this requirement on im ported cattle and meat,” he says. “Considering the transshipment and co-mingling of imported product that comes into the U.S. USDA Toll-FreeFoot And Mouth Disease Call Line WASHINGTON, D.C. The USDA has established a toll-free telephone center to respond to questions from the public, indus try, and media regarding USDA’s response to the out break of foot and mouth disease in Europe. The toll-free number is (800) 601-9327. International X High Quality X Affordable Prices X Saves feed by keeping feed off the ground X High yield steel tube construction Call Us For Your Nearest Dealer! Lebanon valley enterprises, Inc. Manufacturing • Powder Coating • Precast RO. Box 187, Myerstown, PA 17067 • (717) 866-2030 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 31,2001-A3l from foreign countries, the only viable solution is for U.S. beef producers and consumers to de mand that Congress take imme diate action on meaningful coun- try-of-origin labeling and import control mechanisms. American beef producers are at terrible risk. It’s time to insist that their interests are put first. There’s no time to waste in protection of our domestic beef supply and the American rancher.” callers can reach the center by dialing 01-301-734-9257. The phone center is staffed by veterinarians and import/export experts from USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service who can explain the re strictions and regulations. X Baked on high gloss, high impact and acid resistant TGIC polyester powdercoating X Feeder comes disassembled for ease of hauling X Parts easily replaced with bolt together design X Pulling lugs to move feeder from one area to another
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