Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns

December 21, 2006

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.

NCBA Petitions for Review of Coarse PM Rule:  NCBA filed a petition December 18 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit seeking review of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) air quality standards that regulate agricultural dust.  The EPA released the rule revising the Clean Air Act National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Particulate Matter (dust) on October 17. NCBA maintains that there is no scientific evidence warranting the regulation of dust on farms and ranches. 

“On livestock operations, dust is produced by tilling soil, planting and harvesting crops, driving on dirt roads, spreading nutrients on fields, mixing feed, and by cattle simply moving around in feedlots. These are examples of the dust that that would be regulated under a coarse PM NAAQS,” says Tamara Thies, NCBA’s director of environmental issues.  “Many farms and ranches are simply unable to control dust to the level EPA requires, even after using available best management practices.  The EPA has put agriculture in an impossible situation, with no scientific justification.”

NCBA submitted extensive comments on the issue, including technical evidence demonstrating that fugitive dust from agriculture operations presents no public health concerns.  “Ranchers are experienced in managing air quality and utilizing dust control practices on their ranches,” says Thies. “Dust is – at most – a nuisance issue and should be regulated accordingly.  It is not a health issue that warrants regulation at the level that EPA’s rule requires.” 

Senators Weigh in on Korean Impasse:  Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) sent a letter this week to South Korean Ambassador Lee Tae Sik and called for the Republic of Korea to establish clear, transparent, and fair rules regarding beef trade.  “The recent rejection of three separate modest-sized shipments of U.S. beef to your country confirm that the standards applied by the Republic of Korea under the agreement of September 2006 are too restrictive to allow commercially reasonable trade in beef,” Harkin wrote. “I urge your government to move quickly to reach a satisfactory resolution to this critical problem.”

U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) said this week the United States cannot accept actions by South Korea to block the importation of American beef.  In a letter to Trade Representative Susan Schwab, Dorgan asked that resolving the issue with Korean beef trade be made a top priority.  Dorgan also said he will push for hearings in the Commerce Committee to investigate actions by foreign governments to unfairly restrict our beef exports.  “And if it proves necessary to introduce legislation to impose tariffs against countries that reject science-based standards in agricultural trade, I intend to work with my colleagues in the Senate to do just that.”

Producers Urged to Express Their Frustrations Over Korean Trade Impasse!  Cattle producers across the country are urged to send letters to the White House letting President Bush know first-hand the frustration felt about South Korea continuing to reject shipments of U.S. beef.  NCBA members can visit http://capwiz.com/beefusa to customize a personal letter to the White House. 

Koreas Pay World’s Highest Prices for Beef: The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) now calculates that South Korea has the highest average beef prices in the world. “It’s a dubious honor,” says Phil Seng, USMEF president and CEO. “South Korean consumers are now paying the highest prices for average quality beef, in part because of overly strict import policies on U.S. beef.”  In large supermarket chains, USMEF calculated that Seoul consumers are paying an average of US $31 per pound for sliced chuck roll while Japanese shoppers can buy equivalent product for $21 per pound. 

Japan's Restaurants Want Our Beef:  This week, the Japan Food Service Association (JFSA) and three other restaurant groups urged their government to break down remaining trade barriers to U.S. beef. The groups say that restrictions on U.S. beef exports to Japan have left supplies low and driven up prices.

JFSA Official Kunio Chiba told reporters: "Wherever U.S. beef is served, it has been very popular. But restaurants are struggling to secure a constant supply. Tender U.S. beef has long been loved by Japanese. The current import restrictions are hurting beef restaurants all over Japan."

NCBA will continue to urge Japan to fully reopen its market to U.S. beef, as they currently allow only beef from cattle aged 20 months or younger, which has no basis in science nor is it in line with international standards set by the World Organization for Animal Health.

U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement: This week, U.S. and Panamanian negotiators concluded free trade agreement negotiations. When made official, the agreement will offer new export opportunities for U.S. beef producers.

"Under this agreement, more than half of all current U.S. farm exports to Panama will become duty-free immediately, including high quality beef,” said USDA Secretary Mike Johanns. "Most significant for U.S. beef and poultry producers, Panama is revising its sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations recognizing the equivalence of the U.S. food safety inspection system for meat, poultry and processed food products. Panama will also provide market access for U.S. beef and poultry products consistent with international standards and recognize the U.S. beef grading system. In addition, this agreement streamlines import documentation requirements for U.S. processed foods.”

NCBA strongly supports breaking down market barriers to U.S. beef. “As the Secretary indicated, the strongest part of this agreement is its SPS component.  For many years, Panama was able to restrict U.S. beef access via a very restrictive import licensing regime,” says NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud.  “It was really outrageous, but because of the FTA, it’s now history!”  Panama could be another growth market for our exceptional products, and in 2007 NCBA will urge Congress to secure passage of this important agreement.

Canadian Import Permitting: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is proposing regulatory amendments to its import system for bovine animals and products from the U.S. Under the proposal, U.S. beef and cattle would be imported with CFIA permits. Canada says this system would allow CFIA to more effectively respond to evolving international standards and effectively track animals in the case of a foreign animal disease outbreak. “The new system would also provide Canada greater flexibility to more quickly implement revisions to import policies, such as previously announced changes to bluetongue-related import requirements for U.S. cattle,” says the CFIA. “Similarly, the Agency could introduce any changes deemed necessary to Canada’s anaplasmosis and small ruminant import policies, both of which are currently under review. These proposed amendments are published in the Canada Gazette www.canadagazette.gc.ca.

FWS to Propose Wolf De-listing:  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will propose removing the Rocky Mountain gray wolf from the list of endangered species in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.  Wildlife experts say the wolf population, bolstered by re-introductions in Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho, has recovered enough to justify the de-listing.

“Ranchers in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming have seen first-hand that wolf populations have recovered as they deal with the predators that prey on their livestock,” says Jeff Eisenberg, director of federal lands for NCBA and executive director of the Public Lands Council.  “The proposal to delist the gray wolf is a science-based decision which balances the needs of wildlife conservation with the needs and rights of property owners.”

FWS Director Dale Hall said a proposal to delist will be published in mid-January and will include terms that require each state to have an approved management plan for the gray wolf and for state statutes governing wolf management to be in accordance with the federal management terms.  Wyoming currently does not have an accepted plan, but talks are currently underway with state officials. FWS has indicated that failure to reach an agreement on a plan could potentially lead to a modification of the delisting proposal to exclude that state.

EPA Finalizes SPCC Rule:  Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson signed a final rule to amend the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule on December 12. According to EPA’s statement, the agency amended the SPCC rule to address a number of issues raised by its 2002 final rule, including those pertaining to facilities with smaller oil storage capacities, qualified oil-filled operational equipment, motive power containers, and mobile refuelers. EPA also removed sections of the rule that are not appropriate for facilities with animal fats and vegetable oils, and extended the compliance dates for farms. 

NCBA, as part of an industry coalition, sent a letter earlier this year to the EPA with signatures from 140 ag-related organizations requesting that the Agency suspend its compliance deadline for all "farm" operations until several key questions can be clarified.  NCBA is still reviewing the final rule and drafting a summary document on how the rule will affect cattle operations. 

CCC Takes a Holiday:  NCBA’s offices will be closed Monday, December 25-Monday, January 1 for the Christmas and New Years holidays.  Cattlemen’s Capitol Concerns will not publish on Thursday, December 28, but will return in 2007 on Thursday, January 4.  Happy MOO Year!

This December, Gift Someone with an ESAP Nomination: The holidays are upon us, a time when we are supposed to be thinking of others.  What better time to pull together a nomination for the 2007 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP)? Think of those deserving ranching families that give back to the environment day in and day out.

Give the gift of appreciation by nominating a U.S. cattle producer who deserves national recognition for a job well done. Seven regional winners and one national winner are honored each year for their commitment to protecting the environment and improving fish and wildlife habitats while operating profitable cattle operations. ESAP was established in 1991 by NCBA and is made possible by the generous support of Dow AgroSciences, LLC, and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 

Remember, these nomination applications take some time to complete, and the final nomination forms are due on March 17, 2007. Any organization, group, or individual can submit a nomination on behalf of a U.S. cattle producer.  Go to www.beefusa.org/esap or contact NCBA’s Washington, D.C. office to request the application at 202-347-0228. 

Policy Discussions to Take Spotlight in Nashville:  Preparations are underway for the 2007 Cattle Industry Annual Convention & Trade Show, January 31-February 3, and it looks like Animal ID, Cloning, Ethanol and Farm Bill discussions will highlight much of the policy discussions in Nashville.  NCBA members will attend committee meetings, discuss key issues, and develop new policy for consideration at the NCBA Board of Directors Meeting on February 3. This is the most important policy development meeting of the year!  Make sure your voice is heard and your concerns are addressed in Nashville! 

Go to http://www.beefusa.org/convregistration.aspx to get updated program information and for instructions on how to register.  The deadline for pre-registrations, including ticket additions or changes, is January 5.  After January 6, attendees must register on-site and pay the higher registration fees.

This annual event brings together thousands of cattle producers from all across the nation.

Convention highlights include:  Cattlemen's College^® (Sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health), Cattle-Fax Annual Outlook Seminar, and our Beef Industry Issues Forums.  Attendees can also attend events supporting NCBA’s Political Action Committee (NCBA-PAC) and honoring the winners of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP).

NCBA-PAC Preparing for Convention Events:  NCBA has planned a wide array of events at our upcoming Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in Nashville.  Show your support for NCBA-PAC/PEF.  Help us support political candidates that support cattlemen, and have fun in Nashville all at the same time!  For more information on NCBA’s upcoming PAC events, contact Erin Vincent in NCBA’s Washington office at 202-347-0228 or evincent@beef.org.

Media Contact:

Tanya Augustson Camarra or Karen Batra at 202-347-0228, tacamarra@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.