AMI Files in R-CALF Suit

WASHINGTON - Apr 2/05 - SNS -- The American Meat Institute (AMI) and the National Association of Meat Processors (NAMP) have filed an amicus brief in support of an appeal filed by the National Meat Association regarding its efforts to intervene in R-CALF v. USDA.

AMI's brief to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit supports the principle that organizations such as NMA and AMI have a unique protectable interest in cases where the government promulgates regulations that have a direct impact on an industry, such as the long awaited USDA rule that would open the border to Canadian cattle and beef.

"The economic damage being done by this prolonged embargo against Canadian beef to the entire meat packing industry, not to mention thousands of hardworking Americans, must be considered when rendering a decision about reopening the border with Canada," said AMI President and CEO J. Patrick Boyle.

"Because of the border closure, thousands of meat packing workers have been laid off, and many more may be losing their jobs, or seeing their shifts shortened, if this situation is not rectified soon," he added.

In the brief AMI argued that the district court ignored the significant adverse economic impact that the border closing has imposed on the meat packing industry. USDA has appealed the trial court's issuance of a preliminary injunction to the Ninth Circuit, with briefing and oral argument taking place over the next few months.