Paying the Price

Sometimes you pay a price for doing the right thing. I have said all along that my decision to oppose opening the Canadian border to live cattle was based on my belief I was protecting the consumer, not protectionism. I know a lot of producers felt that by keeping Canadian cattle out we would resume exports to Japan quicker. I wasn't sure that was true so it was never part of my arguments on the issue. I felt is was best for the consumer.<br />n<br />nIt turns out that R-calf's actions are going to <a href="http://www.cattlenetwork.com/content.asp?contentid=4242" target="_new">hurt the cattle industry</a> in getting the Japanese export market open again.<br />n<br />n<blockquote>A Japanese official told me the following:<br />n<br />n"R-CALF's actions will actually delay the re-opening of the Japanese border. Current actions by [U.S.] Senators and House members have stimulated the Japanese media and Japanese consumer associations to start an opposition campaign. This will delay the internal Japanese review process, especially the risk-communications process for consumers.</blockquote><br />n<br />nPay a price that's for sure. I still say the action was right. We will just have to see what happens when it comes to Japanese markets. They, the Japanese, have their own country to take care of just like we have our own country to take care of. That's what the concept of Sovereign Nations is all about.<br />n<br />n<b>The sound of tireless voices is the price we pay for the right to hear the music of our own opinions. Adlai Stevenson</b>