The second-largest U.S. farm group called for “a major course correction” of the beef checkoff program. The National Farmers Union spelled out five principles “to turn the checkoff into an effective tool,” including a referendum every five years on whether to continue the program and a ban on importers or processors from leadership of the program. In addition, the new checkoff should “be precluded from allocating a single dime to any organization engaged in lobbying.”
USDA has solicited suggestions on how to structure a new checkoff due to an impasse within the industry over revisions, which must be approved by Congress. The NFU pulled out of informal talks this summer because of the deadlock. NFU president Roger Johnson says the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the recipient of most of the checkoff funds, “has a vested interest in making sure the current structure never changes.”