Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns: December 2, 2004

Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns 
December 2, 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).

Nebraska Governor Nominated to be Ag Secretary:  President Bush announced today that he is nominating Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns to be Secretary of Agriculture.  Governor Johanns was born and raised on a cattle operation in Iowa, and served six years as governor of Nebraska, one of our nation’s largest cattle-producing states.  During his tenure as governor, Mike Johanns focused on many key agriculture issues including tax reform, trade, drought relief and value-added incentives for agriculture.  "These are all key issues for America’s beef producers, and we’re grateful to have a nominee with such passion in these areas," says NCBA CEO Terry Stokes.  "Governor Johanns has worked in the past to develop polices to help producers.  We’re confident that as Secretary of Agriculture, he will continue this work in the future."  Once confirmed, Johanns will succeed current USDA Secretary Ann Veneman who announced her resignation Nov. 15. 

President Bush in Canada:  President Bush traveled to Canada this week for meetings and events with Prime Minister Paul Martin.  Before a state dinner where guests dined on Alberta beef, the President and Prime Minister hosted a press briefing where the topic turned to trade issues related BSE.  President Bush said the rule to re-establish the trade of live cattle with Canada has been sent to the Office of Management and Budget and the President has sent word to "expedite that request as quickly as possible."  The President elaborated saying "I fully understand the cattle business. I understand the pressures placed upon Canadian ranchers. I believe that, as quickly as possible, young cows ought to be allowed go across our border. I understand the integrated nature of the cattle business and I hope we can get this issue solved as quickly as possible." Prime Minister Martin added "What we're really looking for is a scientifically-based answer." At a subsequent press briefing the President said "Canada represents America's most vital trade relationship in the whole world, and we will do all that is necessary to keep that relationship strong." NCBA is monitoring the status of the Canadian rule as it works its way through the process, and continues to urge for a science-based reopening of all borders, including Canada.

Stewardship Awards:  NCBA staff and Iowa producer Dave Petty met Monday, Nov. 29 with government officials from a variety of agencies within the USDA and Department of Interior to discuss NCBA’s Environmental Stewardship Awards Program (ESAP). Sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, and USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the ESAP program recognizes cattle producers who use innovative practices to protect and enhance natural resources while maintaining or increasing the profitability of their businesses. NCBA’s Associate Director of Environmental Issues Stacey Katseanes briefed attendees on accomplishments of the 2004 ESAP program which includes 3 conservation workshops and development of updated ESAP promotion materials.  Petty, ESAP’s 2001 national winner and chair of the selection committee, told agency officials how the ESAP program promotes better environmental practices which help to increase production.  NCBA presented the new ESAP video featuring stories about the current regional winners.  The national winner will be announced at NCBA’s annual convention in February.  If you would like copies of any of the new ESAP promotional pieces, including the new video, contact Stacey Katseanes at NCBA’s Washington office at 202-347-0228 or via email at skatseanes@beef.org.

USDA Surveillance for BSE: Last week, the USDA announced that further testing conducted at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa for an animal announced Nov. 18 as "inconclusive" confirmed the animal was negative for BSE.  NVSL used the immunohistochemistry (IHC) test, an internationally-recognized gold standard test for BSE, and received a negative result on Nov. 22. USDA said "because the Nov. 18 screening test results were reactive in both the first and second screens, NVSL scientists made the recommendation to run the IHC test a second time. On Nov. 23 they reported the second IHC test was negative."  The Nov. 18 sample was the third to yield an inconclusive test result since USDA began its enhanced BSE testing program June 1. All three inconclusive samples were confirmed negative upon further testing. To date, 127,043 tests have been conducted with no positive cases reported. 

Congressional Schedule:  Congress is expected to return Monday, Dec. 6 to vote on an amendment to the Omnibus correcting a provision dealing with confidentiality of tax returns.  It’s possible that additional provisions to the Omnibus Appropriations Bill can come up for debate as well.  Following this special session, Congress will recess for the holidays until Jan. 4, 2005.

Animal Identification:  USDA announced this week that will host another in a series of animal identification listening sessions on Wednesday, Dec. 15 in Jackson, Tenn.  The session is scheduled from 9:00 – 11:30am at the West Tennessee Experiment Station, Room A, 605 Airways Blvd. For directions, please call 731-425-4724.  USDA is holding the listening sessions to discuss the development, structure and implementation of a national animal identification program for all livestock and poultry animals.  USDA says a premise identification system is scheduled for completion this summer, which will allow for the beginning of pilot programs to test identification systems.  Transcripts for all past sessions are available online. For more information about the listening sessions or to view transcripts, go to http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/nais/nais_listeningsessions.html

Utah Cattlemen:  Bryan Dierlam, NCBA’s Acting Executive Director of Legislative Affairs is in Salt Lake City this week for the Utah Cattlemen’s Association Winter Convention, Dec. 1-3.   Dierlam will give attendees a Washington update on election fallout, current issues being tackled by NCBA and an outlook for the 109^th Congress.

South Dakota Cattlemen: NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud is in Aberdeen, South Dakota this week for the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention, Dec. 1-2.   Doud spoke at the Convention luncheon on Thursday and gave an update on trade issues, specifically discussing how trade has been impacted by BSE, and the issues surrounding efforts to reopen the border to live cattle from Canada.  

Media Contact:

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

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