Vilsack on the Beef Checkoff

Vilsack on the Beef Checkoff

Recently the National Farmers Union Board of Directors voted to withdraw from the Beef Checkoff Working Group. Their reasoning boiled down to a lack of progress in the group due to two main issues;  a proposed increase of checkoff dues and the need for checkoff expenditures to be more transparent and  available to more groups. Now USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack is being asked to get involved.
Vilsack: “I think both sides are right. I think we need to market more aggressively which means a bit more money. And it would be helpful I think for there to be a number of different entities involved in this so the best ideas can percolate up through the process.Vilsack is convinced that a consensus from the group can still be reached with a certain amount of compromise and participation.
Vilsack: “I think you can actually set this up in a way that doesn’t necessarily create confusion or delay. Bottomline is we need to get more resources in this effort and we need to get greater transparency and more involvement and participation. I think that can be done. I’m still hopeful at the end of the day we can figure out a way in which these folks can come together.”
Vilsack is being urged through a joint letter from 36 different groups to make specific changes to the checkoff proposal.  He has stated that if the groups cannot come to an agreement that he has the authority to — and will implement — his own policies. Vilsack is continuing to urge the organizations to work together for a solution before he gets involved.
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