This meeting -- as important as it is, given the rash of recent negative publicity and incidences involving kids going over the line to win a livestock competition -- should be unnecessary. The idea that rural young people need to be reminded of the rules of fair play and humane treatment is truly disappointing.

AIF's mission is and will be the education of the American consumer as to the professionalism of the nation's livestock and poultry producers, and the quality of life that every farmer provides to every consumer in this country. We have been battling a slowly growing distrust of the food system generally, and part of that distrust is the notion that farmers are "just in it for the money" or "it's all a business to them, profits are what they're after." Not humane treatment of animals, not quality, not safety. This is not our impression -- our public opinion research and confirming data demonstrate this dramatically.

To add yet another building block to this small, but growing wall of distrust between farmers, ranchers and consumers is unacceptable. If distrust between farmers, ranchers and consumers is unacceptable. If the image of rural youth is one of "win at any cost," then our battle for the harts and minds of consumers just became much more difficult.

However, it’s gratifying to see the organizations sitting in this room committed to ensuring that our youth continue to operate at the highest ethical level.

It is also important that our young people understand that there is much a broader responsibility here than individual honors, individual financial gain or even individual misconduct.

Young people must understand the actions of a single competitor can affect the image of all youth involved in livestock, whether it’s production or competition. One need only look at the rash of letters generated by the series of "Ann Landers’ columns over the last year.

Part of any ethics lesson is understanding you do what you believe is right, but you also take responsibility for your actions. This means we, as concerned organizations, must confront head on whether or not we will work to provide not only strong ethical training, but will be willing to work as hard for strong sanctions if these ethical rules are violated.

Both young people and their parents must understand and accept that there is a much broader issue at stake than just the behavior of kids in competition. We in animal agriculture run the risk of losing the confidence of our customers. If the public believes that kids will break the rules to win a competition, then they’ll believe that their parents will break the rules to make a profit on the poultry and livestock they raise for food.

The industry cannot allow this to happen. Just as collective industry confronted the so-called "downer animal" issue, recognizing it as a real problem, refusing to alibi the damning video tapes, and taking real steps to minimize the problem, so must we confront honestly the fact there is an emerging gap in the ethics of some young people involved in livestock competitions.

We must ensure the public understands that the incidents which receive media attention are the exception, not the rule, but we must aggressively educate the public that industry will not tolerate even the exception.

However—and this is a big "however"—AIF does not and will not support efforts or programs which are not practical in their application. AIF will not commit its time or limited resources to programs which are designed to appease philosophical or political agendas. These are real problems which demand real solutions.

AIF applauds the many organizations and individuals who have worked to create professional guidelines, rules of conduct, educational materials and programs for the ethical and humane handling of animals in livestock competitions. Our compilation of these programs has been seen by most organizations here, and I’ve got extra copies for those who have not looked at this incredibly comprehensive document.

However, programs and videos don’t mean a thing unless there is follow up and discussion with the public. We must ensure these programs are working and we must ensure the public is aware that industry is as disappointed as they when an incident of inhumane or outright cruel treatment occurs.

AIF is eager to work with the organizations at this meeting, and with any other responsible organization dedicated to reinforcing to our young people that ethical treatment and humane handling of livestock is quite simply and fundamentally the right thing to do.