News Update
February 8, 2012
Watchdog Group Calls on FTC Investigation of HSUS
Today HumaneWatch.org, a project of the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF), called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to open an investigation into the deceptive fundraising practices of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). A recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request revealed that more than 120 complaints have been filed with the FTC since December 2011 regarding HSUS.
Dozens of the complaints come from Americans who have given money to HSUS. HSUS's deceptive advertising helps fool the unsuspecting public: A recent analysis found that more than 85% of the animals in HSUS's TV appeals between January 2009 and September 2011 were cats and dogs, when just 1% of the money donated to HSUS is sent to hands-on pet shelters, according to HSUS tax returns.
"This is deception on a national level, and the FTC needs to act now," said J. Justin Wilson, CCF Senior Research Analyst. "HSUS routinely employs familiar images of sad-looking dogs and cats in their advertisements. Yet, the majority of HSUS's donations are used to bankroll an animal rights agenda. This emotionally charged bait-and-switch doesn't just harm donors. It harms needy shelters and pets."
Recent public polling determined that 71% of Americans mistakenly believes that HSUS is a pet shelter umbrella group, and 68% wrongly thinks that HSUS spends most of its money on pet shelters. Less than 1% of HSUS fundraising appeals have contained a disclaimer that local humane societies are independent of HSUS.
Some comments to the FTC include:
"I pay $19.00 monthly and have been paying for a minimum of 6 months. I thought that they [HSUS] were the country's clearing house, and this way my little bit of money could help whichever humane shelter needed it."
"I feel the HSUS has advertised deceptively implying that my donation is used to help dogs and cats ... I have donated hundreds of dollars over the years."
"I donate money to help out animals, but I didn't realize that the HSUS did not help out our local shelters."
A longer list of quotes and a PDF of the complaints are accessible at HumaneWatch.org.
UAE Lifts Import Restrictions on U.S. Beef
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted its age-based import restrictions on U.S. beef and eliminated the Export Verification Program requirement. This opening of the market could boost U.S. exports of beef to the UAE by 20% in 2012. Through the first 11 months of 2011, U.S. beef products exports to the UAE totaled 7,275 metric tons valued at approximately $34.7 million.
"We applaud the UAE officials, representatives from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of State, who collaborated closely to implement this scientifically sound policy," said AMI President and CEO J. Patrick Boyle. "It is our hope that other countries in the region will follow the UAE's example, relax their restrictions and allow American beef producers and packers to compete fairly in this highly competitive global market."
To view the notice on the new export requirements, go to http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/United_
Arab_Emirates_Requirements/index.asp.
DuPont Leader Calls for Commitment and Accountability to Prevent Global Food Crisis
DuPont Executive Vice President James C. Borel urged more than 200 business, government and non-profit leaders to commit to a new level of collaboration and personal accountability to achieve global food security today at The Economist Conferences Feeding the World summit in Geneva. The Feeding the World summit explores actions needed to ensure that a global population rising to 9 billion or more can be fed sustainably and equitably.
"We know that the consequences of hunger and malnutrition are so devastating, so multi-faceted, that no one company, country or organization has all the answers. It will take all of us working collaboratively to ensure that every person has enough nutritious food to eat," Borel said. "Together, we must take action. Now is the time for increased accountability to prevent the looming crisis that will have ramifications for all people."
DuPont has committed to invest US$10 billion in research and development dedicated to the food, agriculture and nutrition sectors and advancing 4,000 new products by the end of 2020; supporting training and education opportunities for youth around the world; and working with farmers to improve the livelihoods of families in rural communities. For more information on DuPont's commitment to global food security, visit foodsecurity.dupont.com.
Borel provided several examples of how DuPont is committed to helping feed a growing world, including:
- Developing a natural culture that preserves and stabilizes raw milk and extends its shelf life by 8 to 12 hours. To a dairy farmer in a developing country, this product can help improve their business model, ensure a valuable protein is available to their family and community, and potentially help them lift themselves out of poverty .
- In Africa, DuPont is helping to equip the next generation of smallholder farmers with skills so they can become self-sustaining by investing $2 million over two years to establish a comprehensive professional development institute for 4-H African leadership. The company's initial focus is in Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Ethiopia and South Africa — countries where the need to engage young people in agriculture is greatest.
- Other projects under way involve technology to deliver drought-tolerant seeds to local farmers across the globe. These new seeds will improve productivity and efficiency of water usage across many different crops and regions.
"Science is global — but solutions must be local. The chances of achieving that goal are increased dramatically by creating science-based innovations that target specific local challenges, collaborating with others on solutions and bringing know-how to the people and places that need it most," said Borel.
"I'm pleased that DuPont is marshaling its resources to address key issues from the committee's findings. We need to follow the lead of organizations like DuPont, who commit to doing something about global food security, because they know hunger is at the heart of all other global issues," said former Senator Tom Daschle.
2011 National Foodservice Beef Backer Award Winners Announced
The 2011 National Foodservice Beef Backer Award winners were unveiled last week at the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention. Each year, the Beef Checkoff Program recognizes three foodservice establishments for their efforts in menuing and marketing beef. The 2011 national winners include the Little Apple Brewing Co. in the Independent category, Zippy's Restaurants in the Chain category and Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort as the Innovator of the Year.
According to Iowa cattleman Scott McGregor, chairman of the Joint Foodservice Committee, "The annual Foodservice Beef Backer Awards are a chance to give recognition to hard-working Americans behind the restaurants with the best beef programs in the nation. Every year, we are in awe of the devotion restaurants have to their local cattle industry and their understanding of the versatility and value of beef on their menus. And this year was no exception."
The 2011 award-winning foodservice beef programs are:
- Independent Operator — Little Apple Brewing Co., a family-owned steak house in Manhattan, Kan. A staple in the community, Little Apple Brewing Co. offers a delicious variety of steaks, burgers, salads and soups featuring new and traditional cuts of beef. Boasting an eclectic crowd from students and professors at Kansas State University to military personnel from Fort Riley, Little Apple Brewing Co. has something for everyone. Kelly and Russ Loub and Lori Fink, co-owners of Little Apple Brewing Co., consider themselves partners and friends with the local cattle business and leverage their partnerships with the Kansas Beef Council and Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) for promotional support and staff training. A story on the Loubs and the Little Apple Brewery featured in the March Angus Journal.
- Chain Operator — Zippy's has drawn everyone from President Obama to most residents of Hawaii for a "Zippy's Experience." For 45 years, Zippy's has proudly supported its island community and, most notably, the cattle industry of Hawaii. With 25 locations across the island state, Zippy's is a community-oriented establishment committed to protecting the sustainability of Hawaii's beef industry by purchasing enough beef volume to keep the industry viable. Through intelligent use of beef and products, Chef Wayne Komamura developed a recipe that utilizes grass-fed beef to replicate an old-fashioned-style homemade hamburger patty. This classic hamburger steak is one of their top 10 popular plates. Their acclaimed beef chili is most popular and is the best seller; in fact, more than 200,000 pounds of Zippy's famous Chili is consumed every month. Other island favorites containing beef that cater to the palate of Hawaii residents are the Zippy's famous Oxtail Soup, Beef Stew and Teriyaki Beef.
- Innovator of the Year — Home to eight distinct original restaurants and lounges, Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort is an epic destination in Idaho. By custom building a dry-aging room at the resort and opting to fabricate its own steaks and grinds on-site, Coeur d'Alene offers an extremely high value to its customers matched with reasonable prices. Chef Adam Hegsted's philosophy of innovation through simplicity results in mouthwatering beef menu options at all price tiers — from the steakhouse to the café and buffets. Signature items such as the Wagyu Burger with braised oxtail marmalade, a Charcuterie Platter with cured beef tongue and the Cedar Plank Porterhouse that is flamed and carved at the table — embody the ultimate dining experience that only beef can deliver.
All winners were awarded a trophy and will be given unique marketing access to promote their restaurants as nationally acclaimed beef backers throughout 2012.
For more information about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.
For additional coverage of the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, visit the Newsroom at www.4cattlemen.com.
Editor’s Note: The articles used within this site represent a mixture of copyrights. If you would like to reprint or repost an article, you must first request permission of Angus Productions Inc. (API) by contacting the editor at 816-383-5200; 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506. API claims copyright to this web site as presented. We welcome educational venues and cattlemen to link to this site as a service to their audience.