NCBA & Policy News Archive Archive
For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Tanya Augustson, (202) 347-0228, taugustson@beef.org
Karen Batra, (202) 347-0228, kbatra@beef.org
National Cattlemen’s Action Center Unites CAFTA-DR Supporters
Denver is Calling Center Hub during NCBA Summer Conference
Washington, D.C. (July 27, 2005) – Almost 1,000 cattle producers from across the United States are coming together in Denver, Colorado, this week for the 2005 Cattle Industry Summer Conference. At the same time, a vote on the U.S. - Central America - Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) is slated to hit the U.S. House floor today.
“Actually, this is great timing,” says Jay Truitt, National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) vice president of government affairs. “Right now, I can see the swarm of cattle producers gathering at our Calling Action Center here in Denver. They are eager to have this convenient opportunity to contact Congress directly. With so many producer- members in one place, we can rally the troops in person; get on the phone and online to let members of Congress hear from cattle producers loud and clear. These are the voices from the countryside.”
On Wednesday, July 27th and Thursday, July 28th, members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) are setting up a “call center hub” for making contacts on Capitol Hill from their summer conference in Denver. This last-minute push comes at the heat of the moment, with passage of CAFTA being a top trade policy issue for NCBA.
“If you are a cattle producer and you don’t support CAFTA, I have to assume you just don’t understand the agreement,” says John Queen, NCBA vice president and North Carolina cattle producer. “There’s just no way that a forward-looking cattle producer could resist this great trade deal. It breaks down trade barriers and allows us to get out top-quality U.S. beef into new markets. That’s what NCBA is all about - growing new export markets for beef.”
The six CAFTA countries -- Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic currently enjoy duty free access to the U.S. market, but U.S. beef exporters currently face prohibitive tariffs as high as 40 percent. Due to these prohibitive tariffs, beef exports to these countries are currently limited.
“This new agreement would mean elimination of tariffs and the opening of new, uncharted export markets for high-quality U.S. beef,” reiterates Queen. “CAFTA is a superior opportunity to increase international visibility and demand for our distinctive U.S. prime and choice cuts of beef. We are awaiting possible House passage this evening with high hopes.”
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The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) is the largest organization representing America's cattle industry. Initiated in 1898, NCBA is the industry leader in education, influencing public policy to improve producer profitability and in preserving the industry's heritage and future. Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.