Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 23, 1993 TAG: 9303230382
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
THE BEEF IS THAT THEY GOT IT WRONG
IN RESPONSE to the March 17 "Meatout" article:While I respect the rights of vegetarian activists to voice their opinions, I object to the use of false and misleading statements about livestock production and meat safety to promote vegetarian causes.
Instead of focusing on the misinformation propagated by animal-rights' activists and vegetarians, we need to remember the celebration of National Agriculture Day. For the past 20 years, March 20 has officially been a day of celebration for one of our most economically important industries. Agriculture, as an industry, represents an estimated 21 million jobs, or 17 percent of the national work force and nearly 16 percent of the gross national product. This includes animal agriculture, with the beef industry being the largest segment.
In Virginia there are 30,000 farmers who raise beef cattle. According to the most recent Virginia agricultural statistics for cash receipts, cattle and calves are No. 1 in the state - accounting for $412 million.
Virginia cattlemen are committed to providing a safe, wholesome food product using proven animal-husbandry practices. Virginia's cattle industry is made up of families whose livelihoods depend on the health and productivity of their cattle, and the health and productivity of the cattle depend on humane care.
Nutrient-dense beef helps consumers meet daily requirements for protein, vitamin B-12, iron, zinc and other essential nutrients. Lean, trimmed beef is included in low-fat diets suggested by numerous scientific and health organizations, including the American Heart Association, the American Dietetic Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Consumers in the United States spend a smaller proportion of income on food than people in any other country, thanks to the efficiency of American agriculture. CYNTHIA P. BOGGS Director of Education and Beef Promotion Virginia Cattle Industry Board DALEVILLE