Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns: February 3, 2005

Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns 
February 3, 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).
 

CATTLE INDUSTRY CONVENTION AND TRADE SHOW:  This week, NCBA is in San Antonio, Texas at the 2005 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show.  More than 6,000 cattle industry representatives are gathered where discussions are focusing on key policy issues such as BSE, international trade, animal I.D., farm policy, tax policy, nutrition, and environmental issues. This meeting offers an open platform for producers from all across the country to debate key issues, create and amend policy initiatives, and set NCBA’s agenda for the future. More coverage, including a summary of key resolutions passed at this year’s meeting, will appear in next week’s CCC.

Trade Team Report:  NCBA’s Canadian trade delegation released its report on their recent fact-finding tour of the Canadian beef and cattle production systems. NCBA’s executive committee directed the nine member-producers to travel to Canada and examine the country’s BSE surveillance system, feed ban compliance, cattle inventory, and inspection and border crossing procedures. 

In a media briefing on Feb. 2, and in today’s Beef Industry Issue Forum on International Trade, the group discussed its key findings and answered questions from a standing-room-only crowd.  Among some of the delegation’s findings:

-The Canadian Feed Ban appears to be comparable to the feed ban in the U.S.

-HACCP protocols conform to FSIS and CFIA requirements.

-Canadian processing procedures include line segregation and dedicated facilities to separate animals as needed.

-The delegation requested and has received a report from the CFIA on Canada’s recently reported feed contamination incident. The group is still reviewing that report.

-Canadian cattle imports must be age-verified, and it is critical that NCBA work with APHIS as these requirements will likely apply to U.S. cattle as well.

-Canada has agreed to allow for year-round movement of feeder cattle from 39 states, without additional testing for Blue Tongue and Anaplasmosis.  But since NCBA policy calls for harmonization in regards to these animal health issues, Canada must still agree to year-round movement from feeder cattle from ALL states and for breeder cattle.

-Due to Canada’s expanded slaughter capacity, transaction costs, border requirements, and a weaker U.S. dollar, the number of Canadian feeder cattle that could potentially be imported to the U.S. following implementation of the Canadian rule, is estimated at between 200,000 and 300,000 – not 2 million as previously estimated by USDA.  The final report is posted on NCBA’s web site at http://www.beefusa.org/documents/ACF985.pdf. 

At the meeting of the International Markets Committee on Feb. 4, issues related to the Canadian rule will be discussed, and a formal resolution will likely be voted on by NCBA members at NCBA’s Feb 5. Board Meeting.

Johanns Testifies at BSE Hearing:  In related news, the Senate Agriculture Committee hosted a hearing today, Feb. 3 "Examining the effects of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) on U.S. imports and exports of cattle and beef."  USDA Secretary Mike Joanns testified before the committee.  NCBA concerns regarding the inclusion of beef from cattle over 30 months of age in the Canadian rule was well heard today when many Senators brought up this issue in questions to the Secretary. Johanns said he will take these concerns to heart as the agency looks at the rule again in preparation of the March 7 implementation date.  NCBA is hopeful that rule can be amended to include only beef from cattle under 30 months of age. 

Truitt Named to Head DC Office:  Jay Truitt will assume the position of vice president of government affairs in NCBA’s Washington, D.C. office, CEO Tarry Stokes announced Jan. 28.  Truitt, who has served as NCBA’s executive director of legislative affairs and top lobbyist since March 2001, has managed NCBA’s policy directives on issues such as tax reform, agriculture policy, and animal identification. In related news, Stokes also announced the promotion of Bryan Dierlam to executive director, government affairs. Dierlam has served as NCBA’s director of legislative affairs since March 1999, and has led some of NCBA’s toughest political fights on issues such as farm policy, livestock marketing and risk management, agriculture appropriations, price reporting, and country-of-origin labeling.

General Session Highlights Industry Wins:  In San Antonio today, the 2005 Cattle Industry Convention hosted thousands at its opening General Session which included reports of NCBA’s policy division accomplishments.  NCBA President and Kansas Cattle Producer Jan Lyons asked the crowd, "What do your NCBA dues dollars return to you?" while a giant video screen played interviews of some of Washington top policymakers giving testaments to NCBA’s influence in Washington and the deliberative process that NCBA engages to address the policy issues most crucial to cattle producers.  "NCBA’s policy division and state affiliates advance and protect your interests and my interests in Washington, D.C. and in the respective states," Lyons said.  "You can be sure your voice is heard at the highest levels in Washington." Then Lyons read a special greeting from President George W. Bush who wrote, "My administration is committed to supporting America’s farmers and ranchers."

Cattlemen Determine NCBA’s ‘Next Steps’:  NCBA’s board of directors meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 5 where NCBA’s producer-members will set the policy directives for the coming year.  In his first speech as NCBA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, Jay Truitt told 6,000 cattlemen and cattlewomen, "You’re why we’re here."  Truitt reminded the crowd of their responsibility to be heard so our work reflects the needs of the producers. Truitt also promised NCBA was working around the clock to regain the export markets lost as a result of Dec. 23’s BSE incident over a year ago.  Issues surrounding international trade are sure to be hot as cattlemen craft resolutions for the coming year.  Look for details on new resolutions in next week’s CCC!

National ESAP Winner Announced: As this issue of Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns goes to press Thursday evening, we are only hours away from unveiling this year’s national winner of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program. The winner is selected from among seven regional winners, announced in Summer 2004:

-Region I: McElhaney Stock Farm, Hookstown, Pennsylvania
-Region II: Williamson Cattle Company, Okeechobee, Florida
-Region III: White Family Farms, Estherville, Iowa
-Region IV: Chain Land and Cattle Company, Canton, Oklahoma
-Region V: Barthelmess Ranch, Malta, Montana
-Region VI: DC Cattle Co. L.L.C, Globe, Arizona
-Region VII: Gerald Roise Ranch, Powers Lake, North Dakota

A special video tribute will honor the winner and highlight the operations of the seven regional winners at a reception on Feb. 3. Stay tuned next week to find out about the winner- and if you’re a reporter, be sure and feature this upcoming leader in your next publication.

CAFTA/DR Trade Agreement: NCBA continues to brief key Congressional contacts on the importance of the Central American/Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement.  The recent free trade agreement between the U.S. and Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic is an excellent agreement for U.S. beef producers. Cattle producers are encouraged to contact their member of Congress and urge their support for this trade agreement. For more details, read our NCBA backgrounder on our website at http://hill.beef.org/pdfs/CAFTA-DRFactSheet.pdf.

USDA Surveillance for BSE: USDA continues its enhanced BSE surveillance program which began June 1. To date, 209,550 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.

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