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Updated: 7:32 PM Mar 17, 2010
Granholm's 'Meatout' Proclamation Stirs Controversy
Governor's office issues a second proclamation after the fall-out
Posted: 5:01 PM Mar 17, 2010Reporter: Liam Martin Email Address: liam.martin@wilx.com |
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LANSING -- Michigan's livestock farmers have a beef with Governor Jennifer Granholm.
"They are flooding the governor's office with concerns," said Wayne Wood, president of the Michigan Farm Bureau.
Those comments come on the heels of Granholm's proclamation on Tuesday: Saturday will be "Michigan Meatout Day." In that statement, the governor encourages "the residents of this state to choose not to eat meat. Eating a healthy diet can be fun."
"Don't throw roadblocks in our way," Wood said Wednesday from the Capitol. "We're growing at a rate five times faster than the general economy, and I think that's important for them to recognize."
That fury has spawned a state-wide rebellion against the "Meatout": A Facebook group was formed called "Kill Grill Eat Yummy Red Meat Fridays In Michigan"; press releases came from the Farm Bureau, the Mike Cox and Pete Hoekstra campaigns and the Michigan Agri-Business Association.
Even lawmakers are getting in on the action. The state Senate passed a resolution Wednesday urging Granholm to rescind the proclamation, pointing out that agriculture is Michigan's second-largest industry.
"Not only would it harm the meat farmers," said state Rep. Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga. "It would harm the cash-crop farmers; it would harm restaurants."
Granholm's office, meanwhile, tells News 10 this is a "non-issue." In fact, they released a new proclamation Wednesday, now declaring saturday an all-inclusive Agriculture Day -- for carnivores and herbivores alike.
"It doesn't heal the wounds," Byrum said. "The fact of the matter is that we need to appreciate agriculture in our state."
Meat farmers say they do appreciate the newest proclamation, though it certainly won't keep them from eating meat this Saturday.
"I'm definitely going to be ating meat on Saturday," Byrum said. "I'll be having ham for breakfast; hamburger for lunch; and probably chicken for dinner."
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