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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 19, 2005

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

SD Stockgrowers Thank Rapid City Chamber for Amicus Brief Sign-on

State’s second largest Chamber supports continued closure of Canadian border to live cattle

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association applauds the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce for signing an Amicus Brief in support of the R-CALF USA lawsuit to block the re-opening of the Canadian border to live cattle. The Chamber Ag and Natural Resources Committee first endorsed the action, and urged the Chamber’s support.

Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board of Directors Qusi Al-Haj, Rapid City, S.D., said the decision to sign on to the amicus brief was an easy one. “It was the right thing to do. We can choose to support local ag producers or we can avoid the issue and hope for the best. Why wouldn’t we support local ranchers, businessmen, just like we are? Viable businesses, especially independent farms and ranches, keep our state’s economy thriving.” Al-Haj concluded that the Chamber expects that at some point, Canadian cattle will once again enter the United States , but they will support such an action only when they are sure that BSE is no longer a problem in Canadian herds. “Prevention is always the best policy. It is our goal to keep U.S. herds free from BSE – this is good for producers and consumers. Pretty simple.”

Stockgrowers President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, S.D., says he appreciates the common sense the Chamber Board members showed with their quick decision to sign the brief. “It’s clear that keeping the border closed right now is best for South Dakota cattle producers, which in turn means it’s best for South Dakota businesses. I’m excited that our state’s second largest city has stayed agriculture-minded and understands that the success of the ag industry will influence the entire state’s economic viability.”

According to Knuppe, the Rapid City Chamber joins a host of organizations from across the country that support maintaining strict standards to ensure the continued health of the U.S. cattle herd and the safety of U.S. consumers. The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, the Montana Cattlemen’s Association and the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska are a few of the other groups signed on to the brief.

Knuppe explained that R-CALF USA was granted a temporary injunction against USDA’s rule to reopen the border to Canadian live cattle. “USDA is now appealing the decision. The purpose of the Amicus Brief is to lend our support to R-CALF in the appeal proceedings. The Stockgrowers agree with R-CALF that U.S. cattle producers must maintain the world’s highest health and safety standards. USDA wants to lower our standards by allowing in cattle from a country with a known BSE problem. The U.S. cattle industry must protect ourselves against this effort. As U.S. cattle producers, safety and quality are our trademarks. U.S. consumers deserve nothing less.”

Knuppe urges any organizations with interest in signing the Amicus Brief to contact Carrie Longwood at the Stockgrowers office at 605-342-0429.

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