|
|
Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns Archive
Contact:
Bethany Shively,
The Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns (CCC) is a weekly report from Washington, D.C., giving an up-to-date summary of top policy initiatives concerning the cattle industry; direct from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). Please feel free to reprint in full or in part. If you would like to include NCBA's logo, contact us at 303-694-0305. | |
|
President Obama Signs $787 Billion Economic Stimulus Package into Law
On Tuesday, President Obama signed into law the $787 billion economic stimulus package passed by Congress last week. NCBA worked closely with members of the House and Senate to successfully prevent the inclusion of a dairy buyout or a ban on the processing of non-ambulatory animals in the final bill.
Senators John Cornyn, James Inhofe, Mike Johanns and Pat Roberts were instrumental in helping prevent a proposed buyout of 6.5 billion pounds of milk, which could have crashed prices for beef by anywhere between 24 and 49% if implemented. In a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, these four Senators reiterated NCBA's concerns about the proposed dairy buyout, and urged the committee to, "forego considering any taxpayer-funded program to thin America's dairy herd at this time."
At the request of NCBA, 19 Congressmen sent a letter to House Appropriations Chair Dave Obey asking that conferees on the stimulus package remove language from the bill banning the processing of non-ambulatory cattle. Thanks to these efforts, this language was not included in the final bill. NCBA is supportive of the current non-ambulatory ban, but not a statutory ban mandated by Congress.
|
NCBA Joins Coalition on Agriculture for a Democratic Workplace
NCBA recently joined forces with Agriculture for a Democratic Workplace (ADW)--a coalition of agricultural associations and organizations determined to protect private ballots in union-organizing elections for all workers.
The coalition supports the goals of a new policy passed by NCBA members to oppose the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). EFCA, also known as "Card Check" legislation, would eliminate the secret ballot system in voting to organize a union.
While businesses in general will be impacted by the EFCA, agriculture could feel the effect more acutely, given the size and structure of many of our individual operations, and the sensitivity of our businesses to supply chain disruptions.
For information on ADW, visit www.coalitionforagriculture.org
|
USTR Confirmation Hearing Scheduled for Next Week
On Thursday, February 26, the Senate Finance Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, President Obama's pick as U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). As head of USTR, Kirk would play a critical role in determining the future of U.S. beef trade.
One of NCBA's top priorities for 2009 is to increase international markets for U.S. beef trade, including expanding the market in Japan. Currently, Japan only allows U.S. beef imports under 20 months of age. An increase to 30 months of age and under could potentially boost beef exports to Japan by $1 billion.
Other top NCBA trade priorities include passing pending Free Trade Agreements with Panama, Colombia, and South Korea, and enhancing our trading relationship with our neighbors in Canada and Mexico.
We look forward to continuing to work closely with USTR, State Department, and the administration to increase U.S. access to international beef markets.
|
PLC to Host Western Range Summit Next WeekThe Public Lands Council (PLC) will host the Western Range Summit February 26 and 27 in Salt Lake City. The summit will consist of four sessions--public relations, administrative action, legislative action, and litigation--with the goal of strengthening the business climate for ranching in the West. Participants will work together to identify tools and strategies for maintaining a stable climate for ranching operations, including maximizing the environmental benefits of maintaining open space. For more information, contact Dustin Van Liew at dvanliew@beef.org or 202-879-9126. |
|
NCBA President to Address North Carolina Cattlemen's Conference
Tomorrow, Friday, February 20, NCBA President Gary Voogt will deliver keynote remarks at the 58th Annual North Carolina Cattlemen's Conference in Hickory, N.C. For more information on the North Carolina Cattlemen's Conference, visit: www.nccattle.com/Conference.html
|
Don't Miss NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen!
Don't miss NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen, February 24 through March 1, as we spend a day in the life of two Florida cattle operations. We'll also bring you highlights from the 2009 NCBA Trade Show in Phoenix Arizona, and tour a unique dry-aging facility in New York City.
NCBA'S Cattlemen to Cattlemen debuts Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. The show also airs Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and on Sunday at 12:00 a.m. (All times are Eastern). Don't forget, you can watch NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen online anytime by visiting: www.CattlemenToCattlemen.org
| |
|
NATIONAL CATTLEMEN'S BEEF ASSOCIATION
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20004 | |
|
|
|
|