For Immediate Release
August 20, 2012 Contact: ANCW at 303-694-0313 or ancw@ancw.org
American National CattleWomen Responds to Beef Checkoff Lawsuit
Denver, CO.–The American National CattleWomen, Inc. (ANCW) responded today to the announcement by the Organization For Competitive Markets (OCM) that it has filed a lawsuit in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) and the Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC) seeking an injunction to halt the flow of beef checkoff funds to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). OCM leadership announced its lawsuit on Thursday, August 9, citing audits that have uncovered the misappropriation of checkoff funds as well as an Inspector General’s report that found fault with USDA’s administration and oversight of commodity checkoff programs.
“ANCW does not support this lawsuit or OCM’s willing involvement of HSUS, a known opponent of U.S. ranchers and animal agriculture, in this lawsuit partnership,” said Tammi Didlot, ANCW President, Moore, OK. “HSUS long-term goal is to eliminate animal agriculture, and OCM’s lawsuit threatens the complete demise of commodity checkoffs and this supports that plan. Any concerns of cattle producers regarding the checkoff would be better handled within the industry.”
HSUS has been questioned on their fund-raising programs, for grossly misrepresenting their efforts and accomplishments. We are disappointed OCM has chosen to align themselves with a group that has certainly demonstrated their animosity to animal agriculture and cost our industry countless dollars.
“We must move forward with a solution-oriented approach,” states Didlot, “and ANCW stands ready to work with the CBB and USDA as this process moves forward. We have complete confidence in the Beef Industry Check-Off, all theircontractors and the positive benefits it has had for our industry.” ###
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