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Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns Archive
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Contact:
Heather Vaughan,
202-347-0228, or hvaughan@beef.org.
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. | |
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Industry Groups Mark 30 Years of Ethanol Subsidies
This week marks the 30th year of government subsidies for ethanol, and to mark the occasion, the Food Before Fuel Coalition hosted a press conference on Tuesday, November 18, 2008. Speakers including Joel Brandenberger, President of the National Turkey Federation, and Ken Cook, President of the Environmental Working Group, called on the next Administration and Congress to repeal the corn-based ethanol subsidies which are partially responsible for the rising food prices facing Americans.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Ed Schafer commented on the press conference following his remarks at the Cellulosic Ethanol Summit on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 in Florida. He claimed that the industries taking part in the press conference were, "trying to justify the increased cost and increased profits that they're making at the expense of another industry and that's just not appropriate."
Cattle producers are enduring negative impacts from corn-based ethanol subsidies, and are not, in fact, enjoying increased profits. In just the first six months of 2008, producers have suffered a record $1.5 billion in cattle feeding losses. Throughout the industry, producers have seen their operating costs dramatically increase due to government support of the corn-based ethanol industry. These costs are now contributing to lower calf and feeder cattle prices.
NCBA does not oppose renewable energy development, and believes that renewable fuels must play a critical role in any strategy for American energy independence. NCBA does, however, oppose continued subsidization of corn-based ethanol to the detriment of cattle production. Corn-based ethanol is a mature technology that should be able to stand on its own merits without being propped up by government funding. Furthermore, research and development funding would be better spent on the development of more efficient renewable technologies like cellulosic ethanol.
The free market is the best driver of innovation and efficiency, and NCBA believes that after 30 years of subsidization, ethanol should compete on the free market.
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EPA Increases Renewable Fuel Standard
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the 2009 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) will be 10.21 percent in 2009 to ensure that at least 11.1 billion gallons of renewable fuels are utilized in gasoline. Of these 11.1 billion gallons, 10.5 billion gallons must be from feed-grain based ethanol.
As a part of the Energy Independence Security Act of 2007 (EISA), the RFS Mandate was set at 36 billion gallons by 2022; 15 billion gallons of which must be produced by feed-grain based ethanol.
NCBA opposes the RFS mandate because of its detrimental impact on feed costs. |
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BSE Case Confirmed in British Columbia
On November 17, 2008, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a dairy cow from British Columbia. No part of the animal's carcass entered the human or animal food supply.
CFIA has identified the animal's birth farm and is currently investigating the case and tracing the animal's herd mates to detect potential sources of infection. The animal was seven years old and its age and location are consistent with previous cases of BSE in Canada.
The case was detected through the national BSE surveillance program. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has designated Canada as a controlled-risk country for BSE.
NCBA continues to monitor incidences of BSE in Canada and around the world. We are in close contact with CFIA and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding this issue. |
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NCBA Hosts Webinar on Enhanced Feed Ban
NCBA will be hosting a webinar on December 8th, at 2 pm Eastern Time to discuss the Enhanced Feed Ban rule that is scheduled to go into effect in April 2009.
The educational webinar will be open to state affiliates and producers. NCBA, the National Renderers Association (NRA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) will all participate.
NCBA advocated against the enhanced feed ban because the science behind it and the economic cost-benefit analysis did not justify the increased burden the ban would place on the cattle industry.
We continue to advocate against the enhanced feed ban and will work to ensure the least possible burden on our producers. Through tools like this webinar, NCBA is helping prepare our producers well in advance of these new requirements. |
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Cattlemen's Beef Board Appointments
On November 18, 2008, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Ed Schafer announced 32 appointments to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board. Each appointee will serve a three year term starting on January 31, 2009.
Newly appointed members representing cattle producers are: Ted A. Greidanus, Calif; Phyllis Snyder, Colo.; Kimberly B. Brackett, Idaho; Roland W. May, Kan.; Daniel C. Smith, Ky.; Jay O. Stovall, Mont.; Chris L. Schluntz, Neb.; Wesley L. Grau, NM; Joyce A. Bupp, Pa.; Michael V. Stahly, SD; G. Hughes, Abell, Texas and F. Henry Maxey, Jr., Va.
Reappointed members representing cattle producers are: Thomas S. Jones, Ark.; Roger L. West, Fla.; Terrell D. Handke, Kan.; Daniel J. Kerschen, Kan.; Charles J. Bassett, Mo.; James J. Eschliman, Neb.; Lyndell W. Whipps, Sr., Neb.; Margie B. Hande, ND; Joe B. Drake, Okla.; Andrea D. Hutchison, Okla.; Daryl R. Berlier-Owen, Texas; Robert L. Bruner, Texas; Daniel B. Dierschke, Texas; and Bryant W. Fisher, Texas.
Newly appointed members representing importers are: Dorith Marom, Conn.; Stephen A. Orodenker, NJ and Kelvin W. Whall, Va.
Reappointed members representing importers are: Ronald G. Allen, Pa.; Michelle A. Gorman, Md. and John J. O'Carroll, Kan.
The board oversees the collection of the beef checkoff of $1 per head on all cattle sold in the United States and $1 per head equivalent on imported cattle, beef and beef products.
In addition, the board contracts with established national, non-profit, industry-governed organizations to implement programs of promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications. |
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NCBA Submits Comments on Genetically Engineered Animals
Dr. Elizabeth Parker, NCBA's Chief Veterinarian, submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on genetically engineered (GE) animals this week.
If the GE animal is a food production animal then FDA will require that the animal or its products are proven safe to eat in order to enter the food supply. FDA intends to conduct a full food and feed safety evaluation if the animal or the product is intended for food.
Genetic engineering already is widely used in agriculture to make crops resistant to pests or herbicides. In medicine, genetic engineering is used to develop microbes that produce drugs and other therapeutic products for use in humans. In food, genetic engineering is used to produce microorganisms that aid in baking, brewing, and cheese-making.
Depending on the species of animal and its intended use, the FDA will coordinate its regulatory efforts with USDA and other federal departments and agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency.
NCBA believes that an open and transparent process for developing these regulations is important NCBA supports the use of new technologies that are scientifically proven and supports a strong science-based regulatory framework for GE animals.
U.S. cattle producers have a rich and long history of being innovators and leaders to produce and maintain a healthy U.S. cattle herd. NCBA welcomes this starting point for discussions of how GE animals should be regulated, and the nature of FDA's procedures for such regulation
We also welcome the complementary APHIS request for information published on September 19, 2008, and encourage discussions on further developing a well-coordinated regulatory framework that appropriately incorporates all relevant U.S. government agencies.
It is vital that our government provide a clear and transparent, science-based and risk-based, regulatory framework in order to ensure both animal and human health. It is also necessary to assure producers, consumers and trading partners that any animals or products approved utilizing this promising technology have been thoroughly evaluated.
We need to ensure that systems are in place to monitor and evaluate all aspects as this technology progresses. It is also vital to make clearly articulated government requirements available to technology providers, thereby avoiding confusion and avoiding unjustifiable inhibition for continued research and technology advances. |
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NCBA Submits Comments on E. Coli Sampling Procedures
On November 14, 2008, NCBA submitted comments to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on their proposed rule entitled "Sampling and Testing Procedures for Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Beef Manufacturing Trimmings."
NCBA founded and continues to lead the collaboration efforts of the Beef Industry Food Safety Council (BIFSCo) to coordinate a broad effort to solve pathogen issues, focused on research and consumer education. Representatives from all segments of the beef industry including producers, universities, government and industry scientists, industry association executives and experts work together under the founding principles that safety is a non-competitive issue. BIFSCo develops and utilizes industry-wide, science-based strategies to solve the problem of pathogens, particularly E. coli O157:H7.
NCBA encourages FSIS to incorporate the objectives of existing regulatory programs, including Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and the Pathogen Reduction Act, which focus on process controls rather than testing as a means to protect public health.
Increasing microbiological sampling and testing of the final product is contradictory to the HACCP system and the guidance of the National and International Advisory Committees on Microbiological Criteria for Foods. Safety cannot be tested into a product; it must be achieved through the application of one or more interventions based on sound science.
NCBA supports the establishment of realistic food safety objectives designed to protect public health to the maximum extent possible It is important that the objectives be based on sound science with the realistic understanding that even under the best science-based operating procedures, achieving zero is not possible.
NCBA will continue the industry-wide collaboration efforts to educate consumers, the beef industry and regulatory authorities about science-based strategies that are realistic and can be utilized in raw beef production to reduce food safety risks. |
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NCBA Submits Comments on Animal Raising Claims
On November 14, 2008, NCBA submitted comments to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) regarding its review of polices for evaluating and approving animal raising claims on labels.
NCBA supports marketing or labeling claims that distinguish the uniqueness of a product aimed towards a particular consumer desire - including product characteristics that are based on production methods. NCBA does not support claims that are either false or misleading to the consumer or claims that disparage one type of beef product for the perceived gain of another. All U.S. beef is safe, wholesome and of the highest quality, and USDA should defend all products equally.
NCBA encourages our government to harmonize this effort across all agencies and Departments that have jurisdiction over meat product marketing labels Additionally, government labels should not create inequities between species or within species. This can be achieved by clearly defined parameters for animal raising claims.
Any labeling of meat and meat products should be scientifically correct and not misleading. There must be a strong and clear articulation of the roles for each government agency that regulates such labels and marketing claims. Standardization of similarly named labels across the federal government is critical. |
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Codex Meeting on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems
From November 24 to 28, 2008, Dr. Elizabeth Parker will be in the Philippines as part of the U.S. delegation to the 17th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS).
Ofparticular interest among many of the topics up for discussion at this meeting are principles and guidelines for the conduct of foreign on-site audits/inspections, guidance for national food safety inspection systems, guidance on traceability, the generic model health certificate and guidance on prevention of intentional contamination of food. Other business and future work will be discussed as well. |
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USDA Proposes to Amend Livestock Provisions of National Organic Program
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to amend the livestock provisions of the National Organic Program. The revisions are intended to provide greater detail for livestock regulations of pasture and ruminant animals. According to the proposed rule, "By specifying in greater detail that producers are to provide ruminants with pasture, recognize pasture as a crop, and incorporate pasture into their organic system plan, producers will have better records and tools for managing pasture and demonstrating compliance with the livestock regulations. Certifying agents will have better tools for measuring compliance with the livestock regulations ... [The] proposed rule would also clarify the replacement animal provision for dairy animals." Comments on the rule are due by December 23rd, 2008.
NCBA has concerns with this proposed rule and continues to research and analyze the content. We will be submitting comments on AMS outlining our concerns. |
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USDA Announces Regional Tuberculosis Listening Sessions:
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has indicated potential changes to the bovine tuberculosis program to help meet current challenges. To this end, they have scheduled a series of public meetings on tuberculosis to gain stakeholder input. The meetings-which are open to the public-will be formatted as listening sessions, with participants breaking into small groups to discuss innovative ways to address every aspect of the tuberculosis program.
A schedule of the sessions is below:
Michigan - Monday, December 8, 2008
Holiday Inn South Convention Center, 6820 South Cedar Street, Lansing, MI, 48911
Minnesota - Wednesday, December 10, 2008 Hilton Minneapolis, 1001 Marquette Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 66403
Texas - Thursday, December 11, 2008
Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown, 500 North IH 35, Austin, TX 78701
California - Friday, December 12, 2008
Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel, 1230 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Washington, DC - Tuesday, December 16, 2008 Washington Marriott at Metro Center, 775 12th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 |
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Agricultural Chemicals Subject to Anti-Terrorism Standards:
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released draft Risk-Based Performance Standards for Chemicals Used at Agriculture, Food and Healthcare Facilities (e.g., Ammonia/Chlorine). Under the new guidelines, facilities would be required to complete Security Vulnerability Assessments (SVAs), develop Site Security Plans (SSPs), and implement protective measures."
Comments on the draft guidance are due by November 26th, 2008. NCBA has been working with DHS and other agriculture organizations to address livestock producers concerns regarding this program. |
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In Brief
- Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) has taken over as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, replacing Representative John Dingell (D-MI). As chairman, Mr. Waxman will have a critical role on legislation ranging from climate change to renewable energy.
- James E. Link has been appointed as Administrator of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Link replaces departed administrator Lloyd Day.
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NCBA's Award-Winning Cattlemen to Cattlemen
Don't miss NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen! On the show airing from November 18th through November 23rd, we look at some of our favorite stories from our sponsor Land O'Lakes Purina Feed. We'll visit Purina's research facility in Missouri and an Oregon ranch to learn more about proper nutrition for calves.
Then, from November 25th through November 30th, we take a look at some of our favorite stories from our sponsor Fort Dodge Animal Health. We'll look at topics including the proper use of implants and how to identify and treat the disease trichomoniasis.
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 CattlemenToCattlemen.org.
NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen on RFD-TV provides weekly news and features for cattle producers across the country. It airs every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time, with repeat episodes on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Sundays at midnight (all times Eastern).
The program's sponsors include Purina Mills, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Dow AgroSciences, Bayer Animal Health and McDonald's.
For more information or to check out past episodes, visit www.cattlementocattlemen.org. | |
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NATIONAL CATTLEMEN'S BEEF ASSOCIATION
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20004 | |
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