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).

NCBA says NO Compromise on Death Tax: The Senate is expected to vote on Permanent Repeal of the Death Tax when they return to Washington in September. Cattle producers across the U.S. are in the home-stretch on efforts to full repeal this devastating tax. Now more than ever, producers must take the time over August recess to contact and visit their Senators personally in their home state. 

NCBA's long-term policy supports full, permanent repeal of the Death Tax. Our mission is enhancing and protecting the business climate for our producers and we are dedicated to assuring family farms and ranches can thrive and prosper. The current debate before Congress on the Death Tax may be pressuring some to question the possible benefits of a compromise in lieu of permanent repeal. NCBA is working on an in-depth analysis to address these questions for cattle producers.

According to numerous surveys of our membership, taxes resulting from the transfer of an operation from one generation to the next are a significant threat to the economic viability and profitability of the operation. Our policy, as a result, has clearly stated that death should not be a taxable event.

We must say NO to compromise. Complete and permanent repeal of the Death Tax is the only reasonable solution that protects our industry for the long-term. Go to www.beefusa.org and send a letter to your Senator about your personal experience with the Death Tax.

ESA Efforts Heating-Up in Congress: Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) announced this week plans to develop and introduce legislation aimed at reforming the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Crapo and Lincoln are co-chairing a Congressional working group as part of their efforts on ESA reform. Earlier this year, Crapo and Lincoln joined with House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA), Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) and Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) to say they would work together to "improve and update" the act, which they criticized for listing thousands of species but only recovering less than one percent. "In looking at the ESA, I'm convinced that it can be improved," Lincoln said. "All parties involved recognize the value of biological diversity, and I believe solutions can be found that will better protect species without hindering the rights of landowners. Crapo and Lincoln say their legislation aims to meet criteria in the following five areas:

• Incentives: Including direct payments to landowners for their commitments to conservation.
• Commitments: The commitment to recovery must be as serious as commitments to protection. We have worked hard over the first 30 years of the Act to protect species. We must build on that with more progress toward recovery.
• State roles: Involving states involves more wildlife professionals and access to existing relationships with landowners, both of which enlarge the team of people promoting recovery.
• Critical Habitat: Habitat is critical to wildlife, but the Critical Habitat provisions of the Act need reform. Our goal should be to protect and improve habitat in the most effective way possible.
• Science: Just as habitat is fundamental to wildlife, science is fundamental to how we care for wildlife. Science must be credible, reliable, and subject to independent review to provide a more open process for contentious decision-making.

Producers Urged to Get Involved in ESA Discussions: NCBA and the Public Lands Council (PLC) support the more efficient recovery of species, sound science in decision-making and general improvements which reduce the regulatory and litigious burden on landowners. NCBA and PLC producer-members are reminded and encouraged to contact their Congressional representatives over the August recess and voice your support for these efforts to improve the ESA. Crapo and Lincoln say they want to hear from people on the ground at the local level. "We will listen to all interests, work to create win-win solutions and draft legislation thoughtfully. Our goal is to spark and sustain more active recovery for listed species by working cooperatively with landowners."

Japan: Earlier this week, news reports confirmed Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi dissolved the Parliament's lower chamber and scheduled a September 11 election for its 480 seats, where the ruling party could be ousted from power after almost 50 years. This came after legislation to privatize their national post was rejected by Parliament's upper house. Although it is still too early to know for sure, this political uncertainty could possibly impact the timeline on Japanese resumption of U.S. beef. The two nations had agreed to hold talks between Prime Minister Koizumi and President Bush this September in Washington DC, but it appears the date of the summit could change.

PLC Range Tour: The Public Lands Council, along with the Oregon Cattlemen's Association and Oregon Public Lands Council, will host Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Kathleen Clarke and several BLM state and national staff for a range tour of the Steen's Mountain area August 15-16. The tour will focus on conservation issues as well as the interface between public and private lands and between urban and rural communities in the West. Invitations to attend have also been extended to each of the Oregon's U.S. Congressional offices. PLC is hopeful that this range tour will provide an opportunity to highlight the stewardship of public lands ranching operations.

Agricultural Marketing Service Administrator: This is the first week on the job for the new Administrator for the Agricultural Marketing Service, Mr. Lloyd Day. Mr. Day was previously special assistant to the administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service, and prior to that he served as deputy secretary of the International Trade and Investment Division of the California Trade and Commerce Agency.

USDA Farm Bill Listening Sessions: NCBA members in states from across the country this summer are attending USDA Farm Bill Listening Sessions to participate in discussions about the new Farm Bill. Producers are strongly encouraged to check out the list of scheduled sessions below and see if there is one scheduled near your home town, as your feedback will provide valuable input. Some sessions will have a particular area of focus, such as conservation, rural development and nutrition. NCBA member-producers are encouraged to attend and participate.

• Aug. 12, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (PDT), Fresno County Fairgrounds, Fresno, Calif.
• Aug. 16, 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon (EDT), Penn State 's Ag Progress Days, Univ. Park, Penn.
• Aug. 17, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (MDT) Jackson Hole, Wyo. (focus on Conservation)
• Aug. 18, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (CDT), Indianapolis, Ind.

The public is also welcome to submit comments via the USDA Farm Bill Forums website.

BSE Surveillance: To date, USDA's Enhanced BSE Surveillance Program has tested 432,678 targeted animals at highest risk for BSE and has found only one confirmed case in the United States, evidence that our firewalls are working and the prevalence of this disease in the U.S. is extremely low. Testing 268,500 animals can detect BSE at a rate of 1 in 10 million adult cattle at a 99 percent confidence level.

Congressional Schedule: Congress is out of session for August recess. They are scheduled to return to Washington Tuesday, September 7.

Media Contact:
Tanya Augustson or Karen Batra at 202-347-0228; taugustson@beef.org or kbatra@beef.org

This publication is funded by cattle producers and other industry supporters through their voluntary membership contributions to NCBA. To join the tens of thousands of cattle producers from across the U.S. in working to preserve our legacy, contact NCBA Member Services at 1-866-BEEF-USA or Membership@beef.org.

Please feel free to reprint in full.