Speech #910087615

American cattlemen have had problems too. and there no doubt can be generated at least some sympathy from those in this country who have been or still are in the same boat. But I submit that the No. 1 concern of the American Government should be the wellbeing of the American livestock industrynot the Australian livestock industry. The Australians and all the other nations that export beef and veal to America have known about our import quota law since the day it first was proposed and debated in the Halls of Congress. These countries have known every year since enactment of that law exactly how it worked. exactly what the political considerations were that could play a part in the application of the law. exactly how it would affect their shipments to America. and that it could affect the domestic market. The Australians have known since the beginning of this year that the Government of the United States had establishedon the basis of what was considered to be in the best interests of the domestic livestock industry. the overall economy. and I presume. our relationships with foreign nationsan adjusted base quota level for all nations of 1.035.000 pounds.