Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns: February 10, 2005

Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns
February 10, 2005
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).

Canadian Trade Update: NCBA is pleased with this week's reaction from the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding a portion of the Canadian live cattle rule, set to go into effect on March 7. The USDA is calling for a delay in Canadian imports of beef from animals 30 months of age. This move addresses a key concern brought to the table by thousands of NCBA members at last week's Convention in San Antonio. At the annual convention, NCBA members joined together and passed an 11-point directive on border issues, which is detailed below. USDA Secretary Mike Johanns says the change is meant to delay the effective date for allowing imports of beef from animals over 30 months, not remove it altogether. The delay is recommended because the department’s investigations of two recent BSE cases in Canada are not yet complete. The delay also offers a phased-in approach to normalizing trade with Canada which will be less disruptive to the U.S. market, while we continue to work toward re-establishing trade in our own export markets.

Cattle Producers Pass Detailed Canadian Directive: The trade delegation of NCBA members who traveled to Canada last month have written an extensive report and presented this to NCBA membership during annual Convention late last week. The report is available to the public at http://www.beefusa.org/documents/ACF985.pdf. After hearing the report, NCBA members passed a directive at their annual membership meeting regarding trade with Canada. The directive instructs NCBA to work to resolve a list of conditions before trade with Canada is resumed.
These include:
(1) Prohibit the importation of cattle and beef products from cattle more than 30 months of age.
(2) Assurance that all Canadian firewalls to prevent BSE, specifically adherence to their feed ban, are functioning properly.
(3) No feeder cattle imported until agreement is reached on harmonization of animal health standards, especially bluetongue and anaplasmosis.
(4) Movement of Canadian cattle into the United States must be managed to minimize market disruptions.
(5) Fed cattle imported for immediate slaughter must be certified to be less than 30 months of age at the time of importation.
(6) Ban the use of fetal bovine serum from heifers imported for immediate slaughter.
(7) USDA grades and stamps not be allowed on any imported beef product.
(8) Feeder cattle must be branded with a "CAN," individually identified with an ear tag, certified to be less than 30 months of age at time of slaughter, shipped in sealed trucks from the border directly to an approved feedlot, then moved directly in sealed trucks to slaughter.
(9) Feeder heifers imported into the United States from Canada must be spayed.
(10) USDA must work with our primary trading partners to ensure that expanded export access for U.S. beef is not in any way jeopardized by expanded importation of cattle and beef from Canada.
(11) The Administration must reach an agreement to re-establish beef and beef byproduct trade with Japan, South Korea and Mexico, and apply economic sanctions if necessary.

The Feb. 9 announcement by USDA to delay imports of beef from cattle over 30 months of age accomplishes one of those criteria. NCBA members remain concerned about certain aspects of this final rule. However, this is an indication that the USDA is listening to our concerns.

Canadian Meetings: NCBA President Jim McAdams is in Washington D.C. this week for meetings with Canadian officials regarding beef trade issues. McAdams and NCBA staff attended an event at the Canadian Embassy Jan. 9. In a separate meeting this week, NCBA met with Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honorable Andy Mitchell, Alberta Ag Minister Doug Horner, and Ministers from six Canadian provinces. NCBA trade staff discussed the 11-step directive passed at last week's Convention in San Antonio, and discussed the way forward in regards to meeting these criteria.
Budget: President Bush delivered his Fiscal Year 2006 budget to Congress this week, thus beginning the appropriations process. This session, Congress must also go through budget reconciliation and decide which programs can be cut to help balance the budget. NCBA has examined the USDA budget recommendations and created a table which details funding levels of programs important to cattle producers. (For a copy of this table, visit NCBA’s policy web site at http://hill.beef.org or contact NCBA’s Washington office at 202-347-0228.)

Budget highlights of major importance to the cattle industry include:
-Funding increased for programs included in the Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative. This initiative surveys and identifies possible bioterrorist attacks to the food supply.
-Funding for Animal ID was included, and overall animal health monitoring and surveillance programs increased.
-Funding for BSE research will increase from $5 million in FY 2005 to $12 million in FY 2006. This funding will help develop a scientific understanding of the disease and the technology needed by regulatory agencies to establish science-based policies and control programs.
-Overall funding for BSE testing programs decreased from FY 2005, but this reduction reflects APHIS nearing the end the one-time snapshot "expanded surveillance program" which began last summer.
-Animal health infrastructure funding will provide for the balance needed to complete renovations on the National Animal Disease Center, the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, and the Center for Veterinary Biologics in Ames, Iowa. This has been a priority for cattle producers for years, and NCBA has been working for about five years to secure funding for this extremely important modernization project.
-The budget proposes $3.8 billion to continue implementation of the conservation programs authorized the 2002 Farm Bill.

NCBA is disappointed by cuts in some programs, such as the zeroing out of the Grasslands Reserve Program, and will work with Congress to restore any shortfalls. Overall however, the budget proposal increases conservation, increases funding for food safety and animal health and maintains a solid focus on our nation’s animal health infrastructure. The complete budget is available for review at www.omb.gov; The most detailed information is available in the Appendix.

CAFTA-DR Trade Agreement: Since the closure of some U.S. beef export markets due to BSE, cattlemen have a new appreciation for how important it is to accrue extensive market access opportunities for U.S. beef. Reopening our lost markets is a top priority, but we can’t forget our long term goal of opening the global marketplace for U.S. beef. Cattlemen can expect several trade votes in Congress this year, but none more important than the U.S. Central America–Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).

Opponents of free and fair trade have chosen this agreement as the one they will to work to defeat. But cattlemen should know CAFTA-DR could be a lucrative market for U.S. beef and for the entire U.S. agriculture sector. An economic analysis done by the American Farm Bureau Federation estimates that by the end of the 15-year implementation period, American agriculture will see $1 billion net gain from the CAFTA-DR agreement.

Cattle producers are urged to contact their Senators and Congressmen both at home and in Washington and ask for their support of the CAFTA-DR agreement. Passage hinges on grassroots support and action! Members of Congress have told NCBA staff "we need to hear more from the country on this issue." For more information, read our NCBA backgrounder on CAFTA-DR at http://hill.beef.org/pdfs/CAFTA-DRFactSheet.pdf or call NCBA’s Washington office at 202-347-0228.

Florida Family Named National ESAP Winner: Frank "Sonny" W. Williamson Jr. and Frank "Wes" Williamson III of Williamson Cattle Company in Okeechobee, FL, and Faunsdale, AL were selected as the National Winners of the 2004 National Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). The family was recognized at the annual ESAP Reception during the Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas. The prestigious award program recognizes cattle producers across the nation, whose stewardship practices are progressive, cost-effective and contribute to environmental conservation. Situated on nearly 9,000 acres, the Williamson operation is home to approximately 2,300 commercial Brangus cows along with groves of citrus trees and a catfish farming operation. Since the Williamson Ranch sits in the basin that feeds the everglades, water conservation and wetlands restoration practices are particularly important to the operation.

In its 14th year, the awards program is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences L.L.C and the Natural Resources Conservation Service of USDA and administered by NCBA. The Williamsons were this year’s regional winners from NCBA Region II, which consists of eight southeastern states. They were nominated by the Florida Cattlemen’s Association. For more information on the Williamson family, or for photos, videos, or more information on any of our ESAP regional winners, contact Tanya Augustson in NCBA’s Washington D.C. office at 202-347-0228 or at taugustson@beef.org.

2005 ESAP Applications Due March 4: NCBA is now accepting applications for the 15th annual award program. Any group or organization is eligible to nominate one individual/business who raises or feeds cattle. The deadline for this year’s applications is March 4, 2005. For more information on how you can become a winner or how to nominate a deserving operation, contact Stacey Katseanes in NCBA’s Washington D.C. office at 202-347-0228 or at skatseanes@beef.org.

NCBA Member Wins National Forest Award: Colorado rancher and NCBA member Jess Campbell has been selected for the Forest Service's 2004 National Range Management Award. This prestigious award recognizes leaders in rangeland stewardship who foster exceptional National Forest management. National Forest System Deputy Chief Tom Thompson says "the Campbell family has a strong history of providing outstanding public service to Western Colorado." Campbell spent 'long hours in the saddle' on the West Terror Allotment to pass along knowledge of on-the-ground conditions and resources. The Forest Service says Campbell's efforts on managing healthy rangelands, commitment to multiple-use management of the National Forest, progressive land management philosophies, and common-sense approach makes him an excellent partner in rangeland management. CCC says: Hat's Off to You, Jess Campbell!

2005 Convention Coverage: NCBA’s Washington D.C. office is still going through policy resolutions, directives, and major renewals passed at Convention last week. A full copy of the extensive policy is available, and a summary of this policy will be completed soon. Contact NCBA’s D.C. office if you have any questions about a specific policy area. Also, photos taken at Convention meetings and events are available for use in your publications. Forward your requests to Tanya Augustson in NCBA’s Washington D.C. office at 202-347-0228 or at taugustson@beef.org.

Setback on Wolf Rule: A federal judge in the 9th circuit reversed the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s rule that downlisted gray wolf populations from "endangered" to "threatened" in the Western and Eastern U.S. In a F&W statement, the agency said "We believe our rule provided for biologically sound management of the core population of wolves in areas where we knew they could thrive as stable, viable populations. We also believe the rule was correct as a matter of law under the Endangered Species Act. We are currently studying the court’s opinion and working with the attorneys at the Department of Justice to better understand its implications and determine our future course of action." NCBA and the Public Lands Council are monitoring the issue and are working closely with the Fish & Wildlife Service to determine how to proceed.

Grazing Buyout Update: NCBA and the Public Lands Council have historically supported the continuation of livestock grazing on federal lands and opposed any programs intended to permanently retire or vacate federal grazing permits. This basic policy supports the principle of multiple use on public lands and supports public lands grazing as a integral part of our U.S. ranching industry. Grazing helps to increase the diversity and productivity of rangelands and wildlife populations, preserve "open space" and cultural tradition throughout the west, and sustain the economies of rural communities throughout the west.

In short, we are working to keep cattle on the land. Unfortunately, a growing number of anti-industry groups are working to get cows off the land, and are doing so by offering buyout opportunities for permittees. While NCBA still opposes buyout programs and any retirement of AUMs (animal-unit-months) on permitted land, the following amendment was made to NCBA policy at our Annual Meeting last week: "NCBA will defer to a state affiliate when the affiliate supports legislation to retire grazing permits on a site-specific area within that state." This change reflects the possibility that a specific local buyout program could be supported by individual state affiliates based on the "best interest" of local cattlemen. NCBA will still support states when they oppose buyout programs.

Minnesota Delegation visits Washington: The Minnesota Agricultural & Rural Leadership Group visited NCBA’s Washington office Jan. 10 and met with NCBA staff and discussed many of the issues we’re working on in Washington.
Georgia Cattlemen’s Meeting: NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Jay Truitt is traveling to Columbus, Georgia this week to attend the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association annual convention and trade show, Feb. 10-12. Jay will be participating in a variety of sessions including the program on Land and Property Rights, and the Legislative/Ag Policy Forum.
Society for Range Management: NCBA's Jeff Eisenberg and Stacey Katseanes were in Fort Worth, Texas this week for the 58th Annual Society for Range Management Meeting, Feb. 5-11. This meeting features educational, technical and scientific programs and symposia that showcases the dynamics of range management and the interrelationships between the natural processes that formulate our diverse rangeland ecosystems.

USDA Surveillance for BSE: USDA continues its enhanced BSE surveillance program which began June 1, 2004. To date, 220,652 tests have been conducted with no positive cases reported.

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.
Please feel free to reprint in full.