|
©Tennessee Emu Association
All Rights Reserved
| |
Supreme Court Ruling Opens Door for Emu Industry
Sixes, OR – In a six to three vote on May 23rd, the U. S. Supreme Court
confirmed the constitutionality of the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985.
The ruling has opened the door for a number of smaller agricultural industries
interested in pursuing checkoff programs, including the emu industry. The
American Emu Association was investigating a checkoff program to benefit the emu
industry at the time the Beef Checkoff first came under attack and joined over
one hundred other interested agricultural groups, including the American Farm
Bureau Federation, in support of the Beef Checkoff Program last summer.
The Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 established a federal policy for the
promotion and marketing of beef and beef products. This was implemented through
the creation of a Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, an Operating
Committee and the implementation of an assessment or checkoff on all sales of
domestic and imported cattle. The assessment funds research as well as
promotional campaigns for beef and beef products. The constitutionality of the
Beef CheckOff Program had been challenged by disgruntled cattlemen who objected
to the use of the funds in generic advertising that did not specify American
Beef.
American Emu Association president Gerald Edwards indicated that development of
an emu checkoff program had been put on hold until the beef check off issue was
resolved. “We are interested in working with USDA to establish a similar program
for the emu industry to help fund research and marketing efforts,” said Edwards
who went on to indicate that there would be further discussion at the AEA
National Convention this July in Mobile Alabama.
AEA Agricultural Committee Chair De McCleery cannot stress the importance of
check off programs enough. “In 1985 the beef industry was in a 20 year downward
spiral,” stated De McCleery. “The beef checkoff program has provided funds not
only for educating the consumer but for the promotion of beef in 80 countries
overseas. Beef exports have risen over 300% since enactment.” McCleery went on
to say that voluntary checkoff programs do not work well because usually less
than half the affected industry will participate. “The funding that small
numbers of farmers or ranchers provide cannot promote an entire industry
successfully,” she said. “We become reactive rather than proactive and it is a
struggle to move forward. This is the reason the industry needs a checkoff
program in place.”
As AEA continues to promote emu oil research the need for a checkoff program
becomes more critical to the industry. “We have had good results in animal
studies,” stated Cyril Klein, Oil Research Committee Chair, “but it is
imperative that we move forward with human trial studies.” Klein indicated that
some quotes for human trial studies were over $400,000.00 each. Until the
industry can benefit from a checkoff program, emu oil research will be largely
dependent upon farmer donations.
The American Emu Association is a national, member driven, agricultural trade
association dedicated to the emu industry. AEA promotes public awareness of emu
products, fosters research and publishes a bi-monthly newsletter and several
industry brochures. The 2005 AEA National Convention will be held July 14
through 17 in Mobile, AL.
For more information about the American Emu Association (AEA) or the emu
industry visit http://www.aea-emu.org or call 541-332-0675.
Source: American Emu Association Ph: 1-541-332-0675 email: info@aea-emu.org
Website: http://www.aea-emu.org #####
|
