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Message Title: Imports
Author: jan  Posted: 02\08\2005 13:00
Location: co
Message:
Response to questions:
1) NZ does not sell elk. They sell F1 hybrid with an average 126 pound carcass weight. Elk sires for red deer hinds. Promotion is done as "wapiti", thus the deception. USDA mandates that the hybrid can only be termed venison. "Wapiti" is the north american species, thus cannot be applied to red deer hybrids. Four years ago the USDA mandated the deliniation for any meat further processed in the US (for jerky, sausage, or primal cuts bearing the USDA triangle) Restaurants do not fall in the USDA control system.
(2) Prices as per Origin National Ltd on January 05 was hybrid stags $190-210 to $90-100 and hybrid hinds $160-175 to $70-80 for yearlings. Two year olds stags $235-$250 and hinds $190-$200. Prices are general marketplace prices sold by public auction and private treaty and indicate trends only. I do not have the current conversion table for NZ$ to US$.
(3) Channel of distribution is US Foods, Nobel-Sysco and Shamrock in addition to small distribution network and large meat distribution channels originating with Broadleaf in NY and Los Angeles.
(4) If a restaurnat misrepresents, in writing or orally, expressly or by implication, the source, nature, characteristics, origin or quality of its food products, or sells them as something other than represented, it would likely be in violation of a state Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The restaurant could be subject to remedies listed by each state and these include injunctions, civil penalties, and a minimum of $500 per violation in a private action brought by a consumer.
(4) I will gladly volunteer for the southwest district. Ron Greene has my name.

Ready for lemonaide.