Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns: August 19, 2004

Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns

August 19, 2004

The 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).**Note: Due to the Congressional recess, the next edition of the CCC will be published on September 7^th, 2004.

NCBA Policy Update: NCBA is hosted nearly 1,000 attendees at its 2004 Cattle Industry Summer Conference last week in Denver, Colorado. NCBA members voted on a dozen or so new policy resolutions and directives last Friday morning, Aug. 13. Cattle producers reviewed major policy issues affecting cattle operations and the overall state of the industry. During in-depth committee meetings and innovative open forums, attendees discussed major issues affecting the industry this year, including BSE, export markets, animal identification, cattle health, farm policy and the upcoming presidential election this fall. Participants had one-on-one access to top government representatives and other industry leaders.

NCBA’s official 2004 Policy Agenda already addresses a lengthy list of policy priorities, covering 40-plus issues affecting cattle producers. These new resolutions and directives passed at the Summer Conference make amendments and resolutions for NCBA staff, members, and state affiliates to work with. They will serve as interim policy until they are reviewed and passed by the membership in a mail ballot, following the 2005 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio. *For details on the resolutions and directives, scroll down to the bottom of this CCC.

NCBA PAC to Endorse Bush: NCBA's Board of Directors unanimously approved a directive instructing the NCBA Political Action Committee (PAC) to formally endorse and financially support the candidacy of George W. Bush for President of the United States.  This historic decision was made because the policies of President Bush and those of his Administration most closely match the policies of the NCBA. Conference attendees in Denver agreed that they have not seen a time when the policies established by the candidates were so opposite and defining for the future of the beef industry. This decision was based upon the principles and policies of NCBA and is not tied to either political party.  It is important for all cattle producers to understand that this decision affects the position of NCBA in the election and has no impact on each of our individual choices for President. A Bush vs. Kerry comparison chart on cattle industry-related policy issues can be found at www.beefusa.org. For information on how to contribute to the Bush campaign, go to http://www.georgewbush.com. 

Prairie Dogs in the News: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the black-tailed prairie dog will be removed as a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. NCBA and the Public Lands Council is pleased with this science-based decision and has been working with the Administration to bring light to this issue. According to the USDA, "new information from States and other entities about the range-wide impact of disease, chemical control and other lesser factors and the number of acres of occupied black-tailed prairie dog habitat," resulted in the USDA coming to this decision. State agencies now estimate approximately 1,842,000 acres of occupied black-tailed prairie dog habitat across the United States. 

NCBA and the Public Lands Council are pleased that the Administration has taken action on this issue and understands first-hand the damages of overpopulation of prairie dogs. The removal allows for a proactive control plan to be put in place. A revised Prairie Dog Management Plan has been developed in collaboration with South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds and the U.S. Forest Service, USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the South Dakota Departments of Game, Fish and Parks and Agriculture. The revised plan incorporates prairie dog control measures on complaint driven federal and private lands, proposed changes to shooting regulations in the Conata Basin, expanded live trapping, and completion of the management plan by the South Dakota Legislature.

BSE Feed Rule Comments: NCBA sent lengthy comments to the Food and Drug Administration this month which evaluate the need for, benefits of, and implications for taking additional actions to prevent the amplification and spread of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the U.S. Specifically, the FDA requested comments and scientific information on additional measures related to animal feed under consideration to help prevent the spread of BSE in the U.S. NCBA is very concerned that the FDA "has tentatively concluded that it should propose to remove SRMs from all animal feed and is currently working on a proposal to accomplish this goal." The core of NCBA’s comments challenged this assumption, as it does not appear to be grounded in evidence, science, nor risk analysis. For a final copy of the comments, go to: http://hill.beef.org/pdfs/NCBAFDAANPRComments.pdf

Nutrition Meetings: Nutrition issues continue to be a hot topic in Washington D.C. this summer. This week, NCBA leaders are involved a public meeting on revision of the food guidance system. USDA is holding the public stakeholder meeting today, Thursday, Aug. 19, where the public can express their views. This year brings a historic convergence of nutrition issues, as changes to the Dietary Guidelines, Food Guide Pyramid, nutrition labeling, and obesity issues are headline news. NBCA continues to assure beef’s role as a healthful, nutrient-rich part of the American diet.

Conservation Programs: NBCA staff was involved in a briefing this Tuesday on Capitol Hill, regarding issues with the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).  In three years, 16 million acres under CRP contract will expire. According to the USDA, "President Bush’s directive to offer early re-enrollment and extensions of existing contracts to current CRP participants underscores a commitment to full enrollment of CRP up to 39.2 million acres." A request for public comment on CRP was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 10, 2004. USDA is seeking public comment on: management of expiring acreage, improving the design and delivery of CRP, and identify areas of concern with the program.

--Calling ALL D.C. Area Press!-- NCBA is hosting a press event on Sept. 9, 2004 in Middleburg, Virginia. This is a superb opportunity for members of the press/public to learn about the impressive stewardship practices of today’s cattle producers, on an award-winning ranch. The Virginia winners of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program will be hosting this on-farm conservation workshop experience at Llangollen Farms in Middleburg, VA. Farm manager, Mr. John Wilkins, will be demonstrating the innovative practices they have implemented, and officials from the Natural Resources Conservation Service will be available to discuss participation in the Farm Bill Cost Share programs.  All media, producers, and the public are welcome to attend, and lunch will be provided.  An upcoming workshop in Colorado is also planned for September. Please contact Megan Tipton, mtipton@beef.org or 202-347-0228 if you would like to attend.

Trade Meetings: On behalf of the Department of State's International Visitor Program, NCBA was requested to host a meeting this week with Mr. Lorenzo Terzi, Directorate General Health and Consumer Protection with the European Commission.  This program was designed to build a mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations, through carefully designed professional visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign leaders. Mr. Lorenzo Terzi is in Washington, D.C. to "improve his knowledge of the administrative framework basis of APHIS, FSIS, FDA and related agencies in view of an improved and more fruitful cooperation and attain a sense of the productive reality of the most important U.S. food businesses - meat, fish, and dairy products." NCBA is taking the time to meet with this EC official and give an overview of the mission, structure, and actions of NCBA. The group will also discuss the EU trade relationship as it relates to the beef industry.

Animal Identification Sessions: The next USDA listening session on Animal ID will be held Thursday, August 26 in Ames, Iowa. The USDA continues to host public forums to discuss the development, structure and implementation of a national animal ID program. Future sessions scheduled include: Joplin, Mo. - Aug. 27; Appleton, Wis. - Aug. 30; St. Cloud, Minn. - Aug. 31.  Producers are encouraged to attend.  Details about each session, including the site and time of meeting, will be posted at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/nais/nais_listeningsessions.html.

USDA Surveillance for BSE: USDA continues its BSE surveillance program which began on June 1. APHIS posts the test results on their website at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov.  To date, 37,742 tests have been conducted.

*Details on New Interim NCBA Policy: 

--BSE: NCBA members resolved that they will request USDA and FDA to not implement final BSE-related regulations until completion of the comprehensive surveillance testing, and that if the surveillance program indicates a need for additional regulations, such additional regulations should be subjected to the Harvard Risk Analysis Model to verify they would reduce BSE risk.

--Animal Identification Privacy Issues: NCBA members are concerned over the need to protect the confidentiality of producers’ premises and animal records held by the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). NCBA will advocate that this data only be used when there is either a confirmed positive test for List A diseases, the declaration of an animal disease emergency, and/or a tracing (forward and back) for program diseases (Brucellosis, TB, etc.) to determine the origin and scope of possible infection.

--Animal Identification System Oversight: NCBA members agree that implementation of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) will have major impacts on the beef cattle production and marketing system, affecting all cattle producers. NCBA has resolved that the oversight of the NAIS requires significant participation by industry organizations and NCBA will play a significant role in the private oversight process.

--Property Rights-Waste Management: The National Center for Manure and Animal Waste Management (National Center) coordinates land-grant university scientists and engineers engaged in developing solutions to animal manure nutrient management, water and air quality protection, and by-product utilization and actively engages scientists. USDA’s funding of the National Center is scheduled to expire in early 2005. NCBA members voted to support a continuation of funding to allow the National Center to continue in its valuable role of national scientific leadership and coordination. 

--NCBA Producer Education Initiatives: NCBA strongly encourages state and local affiliate organizations to maintain and expand their producer education programs to maintain a strong American beef industry, while some industry partners have expressed sincere interest in becoming more involved. NCBA resolved to expand its support and emphasis on the planning, development, and implementation of producer education initiatives.  These programs will be economically viable, science-based, and environmentally sound.

--Grazing on Federal Lands: NCBA members agreed that the ranching industry needs a short-term policy to address immediate challenges posed by the introduction of the buyout proposal and a long-term policy that addresses the creation of vacant grazing allotments on public lands. NCBA resolved to support the introduction of legislation to compensate permittees for loss of income when they are forced to relinquish grazing permits. NCBA supports the creation of an industry task force to develop a comprehensive legislative proposal for introduction in Congress that will strengthen grazing rights on public lands.

--Rehabilitation of Sage Brush Habitat: NCBA resolved to encourage all agencies involved in post-fire rehabilitation to adopt a two-stage process for rehabilitation – first, by utilizing quick establishing, non-native plant species and forage until plant communities and watersheds have stabilized.  After this, native species can be inter-seeded into the rehabilitation site as allowed. 

--Farm Credit: NCBA members expressed concern over the sale of the Omaha-based Farm Credit Services of America. Therefore, NCBA members resolved that in the affected four-state area, stakeholders in Farm Credit Services of America thoroughly study the issues before they vote on the future of their association.

--Endorsement of George W. Bush: NCBA’s Political Action Committee (NCBA-PAC) has worked diligently to secure voluntary contributions from ranchers for the purpose of providing financial support to candidates of both parties. As mentioned above, NCBA members agreed that George W. Bush’s policies have been in line with this association, and he has been a supporter of the American cattle producer. Therefore, a unanimous vote directed NCBA-PAC to financially support and endorse George W. Bush as the next President of the United States of America.

--Japanese Trade: Since the single case of BSE was found in the U.S., NCBA has continued to request that Japan re-open its borders to U.S. beef. It was officially directed that NCBA work toward normalization of trade with Japan based on sound science and harmonization of regulations between both countries.

--Normalization of Trade Relationships: NCBA supports free and fair trade, and it is unlikely that major importing nations will reopen their borders to the importation of beef and beef products from the U.S. until trade issues are resolved between the U.S. and Canada. NCBA believes that this trade issue should be resolved using sound science, and there are significant economic advantages to U.S. beef producers by having fair and equal access to foreign markets. It was recommended that NCBA urge U.S. officials to diligently work toward the normalization of the trading relationship between the U.S. and Canada regarding the trade of live cattle, and all beef and beef by-products.

--Human Nutrition Research: Human nutrition research serves as the foundation for industrywide nutrition programs, messages, and efforts. Therefore, it was recommended that the impact of budgetary constraints on funding of research be minimized.

--Canadian Veal Subsidy Programs: NCBA supports fair and equitable trade within North America and the elimination of unfair farm subsidies in competing countries. Canadian programs were developed to protect and preserve the production profit margins of livestock producers and other commodities in Canada. These trade practices continue to have a deleterious effect on U.S. markets. Therefore, is was recommended that NCBA support the elimination of the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program and the Programme D’Assurance Stabilisation Des Revenus Agricoles (ASRA) programs and establish appropriate remedies that allow producers to compete on a level playing field.

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.

For more information, please visit our web site at hill.beef.org.

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