TSCRA supports recall efforts by USDA, TDA

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association supports the efforts of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Texas Department of Agriculture regarding the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. beef recall, said Jon Means, president of TSCRA.

The recall was based on handling procedure errors and not on food safety miscues.

"There are many mechanisms in place to ensure that beef products meet the highest levels of safety," said the Means.

"The beef we eat is safe because of the multiple safety procedures through which beef food products must pass before arriving at grocery stores or restaurants."

Means, a cattle raiser from Van Horn, said the TSCRA applauds Commissioner Todd Staples and the TDA for working with a number of Texas school districts to arrange for alternative suppliers of beef to Texas school lunch programs.

"TSCRA does not condone the actions of the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co.," he said.

As one of the state's three sponsors of the Texas Beef Quality Producer educational program with Texas Beef Council and Texas AgriLife Extension, TSCRA regularly offers free education to producers on safe and humane animalhandling practices, Means said.

"The welfare of our herds and the safety of our food products are our top priorities."

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 130-yearold trade organization whose 15,000 members manage approximately 3.7 million cattle on 96.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma.

TSCRA provides law enforcement services, livestock inspection, legislative and regulatory advocacy and education opportunities for its members.