The amendment, and the plan for fiscal 2001, is focused on helping the industry continue to build beef demand, said Beef Board Chairman Les McNeill, who serves as Chairman of the Operating Committee. McNeill is a cattle feeder from Panhandle, Texas. Beef demand for the third quarter of 2000 was up about 6 percent when compared to the third quarter of 1999. After nearly two decades of decline, demand has been on a upswing for nearly two years. The budget amendment includes funds for additional beef safety and nutrition research, said McNeill.
Research is a long term commitment of checkoff dollars to assure consumer confidence in beef.
It s important through research to develop the science to support the nutritional benefits of beef and the science to enhance beef s safety and eating quality. Japan is the largest market for U.S. beef. The Ambassador program involves training young spokespersons to deliver messages about beef and the industry to consumer audiences. The Operating Committee was created by the Beef Promotion and Research Act to bring state and national beef checkoff dollars together into a national program. Ten of its members are elected by and represent the Cattlemen s Beef Board, while its 10 other members are selected by state beef councils to represent them.