American beef and pork producer organizations are asking the
U.S. government to change its regulations so the public can’t get access to
information about checkoff funds.
Legislation enables the beef and pork organizations to
collect money on every animal sent to slaughter to support research and
promotion.
The farmers argue that it’s their money and the public ought
not have the right to information about their activities.
"We support inclusion of language in the Committee
report urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to recognize that the
research and promotion programs are funded solely with producer dollars, and
therefore are not agencies of the federal government or subject to the Freedom
of Information Act (FOIA)," the groups wrote. ... "By including the report
language, please help ensure that producer resources are focused on research
and promotion activities."
Canada has national marketing agency legislation that beef farmers have used to establish a national research and promotion agency, The pork industry has been waiting months for a decision from the National Farm Products Council on its application for a similar agency.
Under Canadian Access to Information Act does not apply to these agencies and national supply-management agencies for chickens, eggs, turkeys and hatching eggs.
