The Bible gives a condition for gaining God's favor upon a nation. It simply states "Unless the hearts of the fathers return to the children and the hearts of the children turn to their fathers." This condition, I feel continues to be of paramount importance today for the stability of our nation and the security of the future of our country.

We must begin, as in the early days of this nation, to emphasize the basic values that set our country apart from the other societies that self- destructed due to the loss of morals and respect for doing

what is right.

We, as leaders in various segments of our society, must become aware of the need for wholesome role models that would encourage the hearts of our children to hold true to those foundational principles upon which this great nation was established.

I have come to the point in my life where I have to ask myself this tough question: "Which is more important? Exhibiting livestock, promoting my industry, protecting a worthwhile activity that I have given 50 years of my life toward supporting or the quality of character to be instilled in the lives of future leaders in agriculture." The answer, to me, is a "no-brainer."

That's why I am here and that's why I am committed to gaining the support of influential groups throughout the livestock industry.

I have a letter here from the U.S Beef Breeds Council, the National Pedigreed Livestock Council, and as chairman of the Texas Purebred Cattle Alliance and chair of the American Breeds Coalition, I will assure this audience that we are 100 percent behind the ethics reinforcement policies of this organization and the Wholesome Assurance Statement developed by our subcommittee last February and presented to the American Livestock Show and Rodeo Managers Association this summer.

The stock show managers also voted to continue the "RID" (Rule Infraction Database) and chose to decline assistance from the N.P.L.C. in maintaining this data so that it would be a more "in-house" effort with close control and security.

Finally, I want to brag, if I may, on the LCI Newsletter this month and the strong support it brings toward our goals for the industry. If you haven't received a copy, please get one and circulate it around in the circles you influence.

My congratulations to those who have organized this event as well as all who continue to pursue proper conduct and practices within the livestock industry.

Hopefully, you will have your battery charged by the involvement you will have this weekend with those sharing your convictions and concerns.

The National Pedigree Livestock Council encourages producers to:

1. Produce a quality, wholesome, nutritious product

2. Provide a high standard of livestock health

3. Manage livestock in a humane manner

4. Use and maintain transportation and handling facilities that provide

livestock health and safety

5. Provide feed and water to maintain livestock health and productivity

6. Consult with a licensed veterinarian concerning animal health care practices

7. Use approved livestock health products according to label directions

8. Sustain and conserve natural resources by proper management of land, air, water and wildlife

9. Support and maintain rural and family traditions important to our society

 

The United States Department of Agriculture Wholesome Meat Act applies to the market livestock which are exhibited and/or sold during the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show as follows:

A. Animals must be in good health and carcasses free of drug or chemical residues.

B. Antibiotics and sulfonamides have required withdrawal periods.

C. Drug label directions for use and withdrawal periods must be followed.

It is the policy and rule of the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show that no animal which is entered for competition in the Show shall have had administered to it, nor contain any trace residues within it, any substance which is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for slaughter animals.

In addition, no animal entered for competition in the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show will be to be within any withdrawal time relative to the administration of any drug, chemical or food additive approved by the FDA and/or the USDA by the time the animal is officially weighed in by the show.

It is the sole responsibility of the exhibitor to insure that the animal is free of the above proscribed drugs and substances. Extent of knowledge on the part of the exhibitor with regard to the drugs and substances found in an animal is not relevant to any issue, and it shall not be a defense that a person or persons unknown introduced the proscribed substance into the animal.

If drug or other chemical residues are found in the tissue of a carcass of any animal sold through sales connected with the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, said Exposition will in no way be liable or responsible for condition of carcass or sale price of animal and the carcass will be condemned and exhibitor forfeits all rights to sale proceeds, premiums, and prizes.

NOTICE: Samples of urine, blood, and other body samples will be taken by licensed veterinarians and/or other designated persons from the grand and reserve grand champion barrow, steers, and wether goats, and the champion and reserve champion lambs in the junior show and nay other animals that may be randomly selected by the show management. Test animals will be delivered to the Meats Laboratory at Texas A&M University for slaughter. All test samples will be delivered to the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory and USDA for analysis.

The use by non-veterinarians of animal drugs or other substances in any manner other than in accord with the labeling approved by FDA is a violation of federal law.

NOTE: Abuse of the extra-label privilege by veterinarians is unethical and is subject to serious consequences such as license revocation.

Any food animal must not exceed FDA/EPA/USDA established tolerances for any foreign substances including drugs, pesticides, feed additives or other chemicals.

Violative results of residue testing are subject to investigation by USDA and FDA for prosecution.

Any misrepresentation of a food animal that can potentially affect the acceptability of the carcass or milk will be considered fraud.