Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns will hold a roundtable discussion on June 9, 2005, regarding the safety of beef and the changing infrastructure of the U.S. beef industry since the December 2003 discovery of a single cow with BSE.

The roundtable discussion, entitled "The Safety of North American Beef and the Economic Effects of BSE on the U.S. Beef Industry," will bring together USDA officials, producers, packers, and others to discuss the science of BSE, the safety of North American cattle and beef, and the economic impacts of the detection of BSE on the U.S. cattle and beef industry, including livestock producers and meat packers and processors.

Representatives from the following organizations are invited to participate in the formal discussion; American Farm Bureau Federation, American Meat Institute, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Farmers Union, National Meat Association, National Milk Producers, National Renderers Association, Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

The event is open to the public, who are invited to participate in an open comment period following the formal discussion.

TIME: Thursday, June 9, 2005, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CDT

NEW LOCATION: University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus, Classroom Building B-45, 1994 Buford Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108

NOTE: Opening comments by Secretary Mike Johanns will be webcast live at 9:30 a.m. CDT on June 9, 2005. Recorded webcast of the entire roundtable sessions will be available on Friday, June 10, 2005.

ARRIVAL: Guests will be required to check-in. Registration starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. No personal signage will be permitted in or around the plenary session Guests are asked to arrive no later than 9:15 a.m. There will be an open microphone period, for comments only, following panel discussions Please remember to turn off all cell phones, pagers, and blackberries. Lunch facilities are within walking distance. ADA requirements have been met. For special needs, please contact Annette Maros 612-308-1878

PARKING: Gortner Avenue Ramp, Cost: 12.50 per day

HOTELS IN THE AREA:

Radisson Metrodome (Minneapolis Campus), 615 Washington Avenue, Minneapolis, MN , Reservations - 800-333-3333, Phone - 612-379-8888, Fax - 612-379-8682

Radisson Hotel Roseville, 2540 North Cleveland Ave., Roseville, MN 55113, Reservations - 800-333-3333, Phone - 651-363-4567, Fax - 651-636-7110

Holiday Inn Express, 1010 Bandana Blvd. West, St. Paul, MN 55108, Phone - 651-647-1637, Fax - 651-647-0244

Four Points by Sheraton Minneapolis, 1330 Industrial Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55413, Phone - 612-331-1900, Fax - 612=331-6827

Fairfield Inn St. Paul-Roseville, 3045 Centre Pointe Dr. N., Roseville, MN 55113, Phone - 651-636-7869, Fax - 651-636-7869

Country Inn &Suites by Carlson Roseville, 2905 Snelling Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55113, Reservations - 800-456-4000, Phone - 651-628-3500, Fax - 651-628-3800

Comfort Inn Roseville, 2715 Long Lake Road, Roseville, MN 55113, Phone - 651-636-5800

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