R-CALF, NCBA in Angry Exchange

August 31, 2000

The Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund (R-CALF) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association are embroiled in a heated argument over quotes attributed to NCBA President-Elect Lynn Cornwell made to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and reported in a Canadian livestock magazine. R-CALF President Leo McDonnell, Jr., says Cornwell owes U.S. cattle producers an apology.

Especially irksome to McDonnell was a statement in THE WESTERN PRODUCER magazine attributed to Cornwell, "...the next time an American group like R-CALF tries to throw up border blocks by blaming Canadian imports for low U.S. prices, the NCBA will speak out in defense of trade and Canadian producers. When R-CALF reared its ugly head, we should have been more aggressive in fighting that. We apologize to you (Canadian producers) for that."

Cornwell, in a "Dear Leo" letter dated Tuesday, did not refute the comment directly, but explained that he said "that I was president of the Montana Stockgrowers when R-CALF raised its issues and we – the MSGA board along with NCBA – should have been more aggressive in answering the questions you raised. There was no reason then – or now – to form another organization to drain producer resources."

"So this is the new NCBA," said McDonnell in a news release from Billings, MT, "one that aggressively attacks U.S. cattle producers who are concerned about cattle markets and unfair trade practices."

Cornwell said, "It is difficult to find the words to express how disappointed I am that you (McDonnell) would choose to issue a press release rather than come to me with concerns over my reported comments to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. Had you sought to seek out the truth, you might have found that you and I hold opinions that are not so different."

He added, "(T)hese personal attacks frustrate me, do nothing to improve beef demand and ensure the long term well-being of the cattle business, and seem to serve no purpose but to advance your organization's agenda."

McDonnell accused Cornwell of saying (1) it doesn’t matter that the U.S. Department of Commerce investigation found Canadian imports were being dumped into the U;.S. cattle market, (2) it doesn’t matter that NCBA membership passed a new policy that says "NCBA is to actively pursue the enforcement of trade laws," (3) it doesn’t matter if U.S. cattle producers want trade laws enforced and use the proper legal framework to seek fair and non-damaging trade practices.

"These kinds of actions only continue to divide a highly fragmented industry," McDonnell said. "For the president-elect of the primary contracting agent of the beef checkoff to attack the vast majority of U.S. cattle producers who supported these cases is unacceptable. We certainly wouldn’t hire an anti-beef advocate to promote beef, so why have we hired a contract agent that aggressively attacks U.S. cattle producers on issues that impact their cattle markets?"

Cornwell retorted, "Here’s what I did say in Alberta: I said that NCBA policy dictates that we enforce all trade laws, hence our letter to enforce the rules to not use the grading stamp on Canadian carcasses. I said I believe in trade. In fact, the highest priced feeder cattle my family has ever sold went last Friday to Alberta feeders. I said that the entire beef industry should be headed toward the day when we eliminate the current grading system and move to a more objective system based on real value. It makes little sense to invest a year to 18 months in producing a finished animal to have it graded and its value set subjectively in six to seven seconds."

He continued, "It is unfortunate that producers in Montana had to feel so frustrated with their national organization that they felt compelled to organize another group. That is why I felt bad that as the past president of the MSGA we were unable to answer these questions and stop it before it started. We sought out the best legal counsel we could in Washington, DC, and were told that the chances of a successful trade action were extremely small. So we chose to find other solutions to the problem. We should have communicated the reasons for this decision more aggressively to producers."

R-CALF Vice President Kathleen Kelley said, "Cornwell’s statements are akin to the same kind of tactics used by extremist groups to attack the cattle industry. He’s distorting the truth, using hate rhetoric to divert us from the real issue, and he is simply, clearly ignoring the facts. What he has done is worse than what any extremist has done. He’s attacking the people whom he has been entrusted to represent. This kind of behavior is unforgivable."

Cornwell defended NCBA’s trade record. "Partly as a result of these (trade) efforts, we set record exports during 1999 of 1.113 million metric tons valued at $3.2 billion with a new record being set during the first six months of 2000 that is 22.2% higher in tonnage and 23% higher in value than exports during the first six months of 1999."

He added, "I’m confident that you (McDonnell) and I will find ways to work together on many of these issues to move the industry forward. None of my remarks (was) intended to offend anyone personally. As a lifelong friend, however, I’d appreciate a phone call, instead of a press release, to discuss our differences and seek solutions."

Cornwell’s letter can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.beef.org/newsroom/ncba/ncba00_0829a.htm The R-CALF news release is on the organization’s home page at www.rcalf.com