The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) presented its Distinguished Service A...

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) presented its Distinguished Service Award and Michael J. Mansfield Award Thursday (Nov. 2) at the federation’s Strategic Marketing and Planning Conference in Cancun, Mexico. These awards recognize dedication and contributions to increasing U.S. meat exports and a commitment to a science-based approach for meat safety.

Alan R. “Bud” Middaugh was acknowledged with the 2006 Distinguished Service Award, honoring the first president of the organization on its 30th anniversary. Middaugh joined USMEF in 1976 and helped establish the organization as one of the world’s premier international market development groups.

The Distinguished Service Award has been given every year since 1991 by USMEF to an individual in the red meat industry who exemplifies the exceptional dedication and outstanding capability responsible for the federation’s success.

Middaugh is past chairman of the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council and chaired the meat and poultry working group of the U.S.-European Community Conference on Agriculture for nine years.

Before joining USMEF, he established an international division at Monfort of Colorado, Inc., to handle the large beef and lamb company’s extensive overseas meat trade and consulting services. Previously he had worked with Monfort to promote sales of beef to the hotel and restaurant trade in Europe and the Far East.

Just prior to his recent retirement Middaugh was the executive director of the National Potato Council, a non-profit membership organization based in Colorado that represents the interests of the U.S. potato industry.

The World Organization for Animal Health, also known as the Office International des Epizooties or OIE, was given the Michael J. Mansfield Award for its significant contributions to the advancement of a science-based approach to international meat safety. Dr. Bernard Vallat, OIE director general, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

Named for the late congressman, senator and ambassador to Japan, the Michael J. Mansfield Award recognizes outstanding leadership in expanding opportunities in international trade. It has been presented by USMEF only eight times in the organization’s 30-year history.

The OIE, based in Paris, was established in 1924 to advocate transparency in addressing animal diseases, provide expertise and encourage international solidarity in animal disease control, and thus provide better assurance that food from animal origin is safe worldwide.

In addition, through its mandate under the World Trade Organization for Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards, OIE works to safeguard world trade by publishing the international health standards for trade in animals and animal products, benefiting all of its 167 member countries.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, lamb, corn, sorghum and soybean checkoff programs.

– USMEF –

The following photos are available with this release.

Photo 1 – Alan R. “Bud” Middaugh and his wife after Middaugh accepted the 2006 Distinguished Service Award from the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Middaugh, the first USMEF president, was awarded on the federation’s 30-year anniversary.

Photo 2 – The World Organization for Animal Health or OIE, was presented the Michael J. Mansfield Award by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) for its significant contributions to a science-based approach to international meat safety. Dr. Bernard Vallat, OIE director general, (center) accepted the award from USMEF Chair John Bellinger (left) and USMEF President and CEO Phil Seng (right).