|
|
Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns Archive
|
|
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. | |
|
|
2008 Election Results:
Senator Barack Obama has won the election and will serve as our next President.
As one of America's largest agricultural organizations, we look forward to working with the Obama transition team and providing information, advice, and counsel as needed on the many challenges the next Administration will face in regards to food and fuel policies.
In the coming years, ranchers, farmers and rural Americans will be significantly impacted by tax policies, environmental regulations, international trade, renewable fuel subsidies, and food safety and nutrition. NCBA worked closely with the Obama campaign on each of these concerns, and we have been assured a seat at the table when decisions are made regarding these and other issues of importance to America's cattle producers.
We appreciate Senator Obama's commitment to basing decisions on sound economic and scientific evidence. NCBA is eager to share the stories of our cattle producers and discuss the challenges they face today, from estate taxes that cause families to lose century-old ranches, to the high corn prices resulting from ethanol subsidies that interfere in the marketplace.
Additionally, we welcome the new members of Congress that will join us in our nation's capital. We hope to build strong relationships with each of these new legislators as we have with the current members of Congress.
NCBA will continue to serve as the voice of America's cattle producers in Washington, DC and we look forward to working with President Obama and the 111th Congress to strengthen America's economy by fostering a growing and profitable beef industry.
Senate Election Results
Currently, Senator Saxby Chambliss is set for a run-off with contender Jim Martin in Georgia. Saxby failed to receive the requisite 50% of the vote needed for victory in Georgia.
In Minnesota, the race between Senator Norm Coleman and challenger Al Franken was closely contested and is headed for a recount.
The Alaska race between Senator Ted Stevens and Mark Begich is still too close to call.
Other than these three seats, the Senate will consist of 55 Democrats, 40 Republicans, and 2 Independents.
House Election Results
In the House, the Democrat Majority grew as they picked up 23 new seats for the 111th Congress. Currently, the count is Democrats 259 - Republicans 176. 218 votes are needed for a simple majority passage of any bills and it takes 290 votes to override a veto.
Seven House Agriculture Committee members lost their elections - Nancy Boyda (D-KS-2), Nick Lampson (D-TX-22), Tim Mahoney (D-FL-16), Robin Hayes (R-NC-8) - who served as the Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Livestock Subcommittee, Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO-4), Randy Kulh (R-NY-29) and Tim Walberg (R-MI-7). Also, Terry Everett (R-AL-2) did not seek re-election.
Congress will be back in session during the week of November 17th to hold new member orientation. We expect to hear about committee leadership and appointments during that time.
California Proposition 2
Also of interest in the elections was the passage of California's Proposition 2, "Standards for Confining Farm Animals." The statute requires that, "calves raised for veal, egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs be confined only in ways that allow these animals to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs and turn around freely."
According to Matt Byrne, Executive Vice President of the California Cattlemen's Association, "California's cattle producers strongly opposed Proposition 2 and are extremely concerned about the troubling precedent of placing animal husbandry and food production practices in law rather than allowing the continued development of scientifically-proven animal care practices to improve food production. It is truly disappointing that out-of-state interest groups have spent millions misrepresenting our state's ranchers and farmers and limiting California consumers' access to affordable, wholesome food from humanely-treated livestock."
|
|
EPA Releases Final Clean Water Act CAFO Rule
On October 31, 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Clean Water Act Concentrated Feeding Operations (CAFO) Rule, which regulates discharges from CAFOs to protect water quality.
In response, NCBA released the following statement:
"The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final Clean Water Act rule for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) on Friday, October 31, 2008. The rule has been in development since June of 2006, during which time the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has worked tirelessly to ensure that the regulations are accommodating for cattle producers.
"We're pleased that EPA has put out this final rule," said Tamara Thies, NCBA's Chief Environmental Counsel. "The regulations are very strict and comprehensive, but they provide much-needed certainty for our cattle producers on what they must do to be in compliance."
'Thies worked extensively with EPA to ensure that the final rule would allow flexibility for cattle producers to ensure their ability to comply. "Cattle producers make their living off the land, and because of that they have a vested interest in being good environmental stewards," Thies explains. "They're also business people, and need the flexibility to make decisions based on current conditions, not long-range government planning."
Under the final rule cattle producers can apply manure and wastewater to their lands based on nutrient values in up-to-date soil and manure tests, rather than a predetermined rate developed five years in advance as was originally proposed. Similarly, the final rule permits cattle producers to apply manure and waste water to their land based on an assessment of phosphorus transport. "This kind of flexibility is critical to enabling producer compliance and does a much better job of ensuring environmental protection than did the original proposal," said Thies.
Thies explained other important changes that impact cattle producers, including a new requirement to submit nutrient management plans (NMPs) to the public for review, comment, and hearing. "NCBA will be developing a thorough analysis of the final rule so producers know what needs to be done to comply," Thies says. "In the meantime, we strongly encourage CAFO's that have discharges into surface waters to fix the source of the discharge, or seek National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit coverage. Ensuring CAFO compliance with this rule is a priority for the EPA."
For more background on the final rule, please visit http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/cafo_final_rule2008_fs.pdf |
|
USTR Seeks Comments on Possible Changes to Product List in EU-Beef Hormones Dispute
On October 31, 2008, United States Trade Representative (USTR) Susan Schwab announced that USTR would seek public comments on modifying the list of European products subject to increased tariffs in connection with World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement rulings in the European Union - Beef Hormones dispute.
On October 16, 2008, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body confirmed that the U.S has the right to continue imposing retaliatory sanctions until the dispute over the European Union's (EU) ban on hormone-treated beef. The ban, which has been in place for more than 20 years, is scientifically unjustified and fails to satisfy the requirements of the WTO agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. The EU claims that amendments made to the ban in 2003 bring them into compliance with WTO trade requirements. However, the ban continues to prohibit beef treated with hormones, pending the availability of further scientific evidence.
Numerous U.S. and international scientific studies have shown that the U.S. cattle industry produces safe and wholesome beef. The growth promotants used in cattle production are vigorously tested by the Food and Drug Administration for safety - both for the animals' well-being and for the trace amounts that may be in meat consumed by humans. The hormones, many of which occur naturally in other foods, have all been proven safe.
Growth-promoting hormones help stimulate growth by increasing the efficiency in which feed is converted to muscle. Certain products, when administered to animals in very small amounts, supplement cattle's natural hormone production and improve growth rates by allowing the animal to produce more muscle and less fat. This helps the industry produce leaner beef for consumers.
The EU is an important market for U.S. beef products, having rapidly emerged as one of the world's largest net beef importing countries in recent years after being a net exporter earlier this decade. Despite this unscientific trade restriction, the EU will be a key market for in 2008 with U.S. beef exports projected to exceed $100 million.
NCBA's Chief Economist Gregg Doud explained how modifying the European product list subject to retaliation is beneficial, saying, "Increasing tariffs on different products, or 'carouseling,' doesn't make it more costly for the E.U. to continue this unscientific ban, but it could potentially impact a greater number of businesses and industries, which in turn could help increase internal pressure in Europe to end the ban. NCBA appreciates USTR's decision to open this for public comment." |
|
NCBA Submits Comments on Cephalosporin Use
On behalf of NCBA, Chief Veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Parker submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the prohibition of extralabel use of cephalosporin in food producing animals. The comments submitted found fault with the FDA's process and lack of data to substantiate such a regulatory action. NCBA requested that FDA withdraw the rule and work with stakeholders to gather more scientific data before moving ahead with any regulatory actions. |
|
Panel Discussion on Genetically Engineered Farm Animals
The Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Center for American Progress will hold a panel on the risks and benefits of genetically engineering farm animals on November 10, 2008 at the National Press Club. NCBA Chief Veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Parker will attend. |
|
United Kingdom Proposes to Raise BSE Testing Age to 48 Months:
The United Kingdom (UK) is seeking comments on a proposal to raise the BSE testing age for cattle to 48 months from the current testing age of 30 months. Producers applauded the decision, saying it would reduce costs on ranchers. Cattle from the UK over 30 months of age that meet market requirements will no longer be discounted because of their age. |
|
Codex Office Holds Public Meeting on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems:
On November 6, 2008, the United States Codex Office will hold a public meeting to discuss agenda items for the 17th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS). The CCFICS will be held in the Philippines from November 24th through the 28th. NCBA will be a part of the U.S. Delegation to the CCFICS.
Of particular 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. |
|
AMS Proposes to Amend Live Stock 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, and NCBA Chief Veterinarian Elizabeth Parker will develop and submit comments on behalf of NCBA. |
|
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. |
|
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
In Brief:
- Roy Blunt resigned his position as Republican Whip on Thursday, November 06, 2008, saying in a letter to his Republican colleagues, "I can best contribute to our efforts to regain the majority and advance the interests of the American people in a different role in the 111th Congress."
- On October 31, 2008 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) Bruce Knight announced that Terry Van Doren had been appointed Administrator of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). GIPSA facilitates the marketing of livestock, poultry, meat, cereals, oilseeds and related agricultural products as well as promotes fair and competitive trading practices for the overall benefit of consumers and American agriculture.
- On October 31, 2008, Jim Link was appointed Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Tom Dorr announced his resignation effective December 1, 2008. Dorr served at USDA since 2001.
|
|
Don't Miss the Award-Winning NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen:
Don't miss NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen! On the show airing from November 4th through the 8th, we sit down with experts from Land O'Lakes Purina Feed to talk about feed options that help manage costs while keeping your herd healthy.
On the episode showing from November 11th through the 15th, we sit down with the expert analysts from CattleFax to discuss important industry issues ranging from increasing production costs, to international trade to the future for U.S. livestock producers.
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. | |
|
NATIONAL CATTLEMEN'S BEEF ASSOCIATION
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20004 | |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|