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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 22, 1999

NMA SEES FUTURE OF COOPERATION THROUGH BIFSCo

OAKLAND, CA – National Meat Association and other members of the Beef Industry Food Safety Council (BIFSCo) met in Denver, Colorado last week to discusses strategies and accomplishments. BIFSCo brings together representatives from all segments of the beef industry to develop strategies for dealing with the industry-wide issues of beef safety through effective, science-based methods.

The council was eager to move forward on a variety of plan areas. Among the most pressing issues of concern was the finding and funding of scientific research necessary to create an informed global policy for control of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogens from the farm to the fork. BIFSCo members pledged to support national and international efforts to educate consumers in safe handling as well.

"BIFSCo remains one of the strongest cooperative assets dedicated to food safety that the industry has today," commented NMA Communications Manager Jeremy Russell after his return from the well-attended meeting in Denver. "NMA will continue to support these efforts and look forward to a future of cooperation around these universal issues."

National Meat Association is a non-profit trade association representing meat packers and processors, as well as equipment manufacturers and suppliers who provide services to the meat industry. The association, with over 600 members throughout the United States, includes membership in Canada, Australia and Mexico. NMA is a founding member of BIFSCo.

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