McDonald's and imported beef

There's a "rumor" going around the internet that McDonald's imports beef.  I have emailed them and this is their response:

Hello Janice:


"Thank you for taking the time to contact McDonald's. We appreciate this opportunity to share the following information with you.
McDonald's is one of the world's largest purchasers of U.S. beef, and where possible, our preference is to always purchase locally and domestically. Each year, McDonald's purchases nearly one billion pounds of beef from U.S. producers. Our commitment to the U.S. agriculture industry stands stronger than ever.
Due to a well-documented shortage of lean beef in the U.S., and to meet the needs of our customers, we currently only purchase a relatively small percentage of high quality imported lean beef from New Zealand and Australia. We do this to supplement our domestic beef purchases.
Additionally, this beef is subject to our stringent guidelines and USDA inspection. The beef is inspected both as it leaves Australia and New Zealand and again when it enters the U.S. The amount of beef from Australia and New Zealand that enters the U.S. is governed by a strict quota system. McDonald's opposes any change in the current quota.McDonald's has the highest standards for food quality and food safety (including feed certification) in the business, and uses only those products that meet or exceed our highest standards. We have been and will continue to play a leadership role in setting food safety and quality guidelines for the entire industry to follow. It's what McDonald's is known for around the world, and we will never compromise these standards. Suppliers in Australia and New Zealand are subject to the same standards we have in place here in the U.S.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact us for the facts. Your trust and satisfaction is very important to us. We value you as a customer and hope that you will give us another opportunity to serve you soon under the Golden Arches.
Lisa
McDonald's Customer Response Center
ref#:6370757"

My reply back:

I'm sorry, but the price of beef in the US is on the low side, as there is not a shortage of beef in the US. I (and many others) would like to know where you get your information that there is a shortage of beef. As you know, there are many rumors going around the internet about McDonald's and I think you better address this quickly. I am a dairy farmer and the Cooperatives Working Together has been slaughtering perfectly good dairy cows by the hundreds of thousands. I know that McDonald's has purchased Holsteins in the past. Therefore, I do not see where there would be a shortage. I will contact my legislators and the USDA to see if there is an issue about the shortage of beef in the US. The USDA and the Federal Government just launched a program called "know your food, know your farmer" and I do not believe that the American people want their food imported from other countries.


I guess if anyone has an issue with this, they should email McDonald's also.