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).

Animal ID Consortium Announced:  A newly formed, non-profit independent entity called the United States Animal Identification Organization (USAIO), was announced January 11 following the group’s first board meeting.  Tasked with managing the industry-led animal movement database in accordance with the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) plan, the USAIO is working with every segment of the animal industry and animal health authorities to provide an effective, efficient and inexpensive database for the NAIS.

Initial USAIO directors are:

• Charles Miller (Chairman), Nicholasville, Ky., cow-calf producer
• Rick Stott, Boise, Idaho, beef producer
• Lance Kuck, Bassett, Neb., bison producer

The board of directors will be expanded as various industry groups adopt the USAIO as their database repository for animal movement data needed for the NAIS.

USAIO has submitted a Memorandum of Understanding to USDA to fulfill Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns’ directive for the industry to develop the animal movement database repository. 

In a statement January 12, NCBA President and Texas cattle producer Jim McAdams said “I am proud that NCBA has fulfilled the directive we were issued by our members – to bring this database to fruition, then allow an independent consortium to assume management responsibility for it.”

140 Ag Organizations Ask for Extension to EPA Spill Prevention Rule:  NCBA, as part of an agriculture coalition, sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) January 11 addressing EPA’s Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) proposed rule. 

The letter specifically asks EPA to extend the compliance requirement of its SPCC proposed rule for agriculture operations indefinitely.  It requests that the EPA “issue a formal statement suspending compliance with the SPCC rule” and strongly urges that “all agricultural facilities – farms, farmer cooperatives and other agribusinesses – be granted an indefinite extension of compliance until more information can be gathered by the EPA on the unique nature of our industries, our needs, our history of spills and how those spills were addressed.”  The definition of “farm” includes cattle operations.

NCBA says EPA itself has acknowledged in its own words, “the unique characteristics of farms pose particular challenges to SPCC compliance and that further consideration of the requirements as they relate to farms is warranted.”  The agriculture coalition, representing farmers, ranchers, farmer cooperatives, livestock operations and related agribusinesses, submitted the letter to EPA with signatures from 140 national, state and industry organizations from around the country. 

Salmonella Data Shows Incidence Reduction in Beef:  FSIS released last week the latest data on their regulatory testing for Salmonella.  FSIS tests different categories of beef (steers/heifers, cows/bulls, and ground beef) to ensure the operations are meeting the performance standards for Salmonella under the Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (PR/HACCP) final rule.  For calendar year 2004, the percent of positive sample sets decreased for all three beef categories from previous years, and have declined dramatically since implementing PR/HACCP in 1996. 

For example, the percentage of positive Salmonella Tests fell in the following product classes:

• Cows/Bulls with a baseline prevalence of 2.7% fell to .8% in 2004
• Steers/Heifers with a baseline prevalence of 1% fell to .3% in 2004
• Ground Beef with a baseline prevalence of 7.5% fell to 1.6% in 2004

(Baseline prevalence is determined by national Salmonella prevalence prior to the implementation of PR/HACCP.)  More information is posted on USDA’s website at:  http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/Progress_Report_Salmonella_Testing_1998-2004/index.asp

Korean Trade Update: U.S. negotiators are in Seoul, South Korea this week for talks regarding the unwavering two-year plus ban on U.S. beef going into Korea. Press reports this week claim negotiators have currently failed to meet an agreement and that technical issues remain unresolved. In 2003, South Korea imported 246,958 tons of U.S. beef at a value of $815.8 million, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Also in 2003, the United States provided 68 percent of South Korea's imported beef, and Korean domestic beef prices remain 3.5 times higher than imported beef. NCBA will continue to reiterate the importance of the re-opening of this valuable export market.

In related news, press reports suggest the launch of a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea could be announced soon. Although the Korean market remains closed to U.S. beef, when it re-opens the tariffs on beef imports will rank among the highest in the world at up to 40 percent.  NCBA continues to urge that the current embargo on U.S. beef into Korea must be lifted prior to launching FTA negotiations.

Bahrain Trade Update:  The U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement was signed into law by President Bush January 11, making Bahrain the first Persian Gulf country to implement an FTA deal with the United States. NCBA supports this agreement as another great opportunity to break down international trade barriers and lower tariffs on U.S. beef going into Bahrain. This FTA is expected to pave the way for future agreements with other Persian Gulf countries, thereby increasing the international market demands for high-quality U.S. beef.

"The roughly $800 million, two-way trade relationship between the United States and Bahrain is now set to grow," says U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman. "On the first day this agreement goes into effect, 100 percent of the two-way trade in industrial and consumer products will flow without tariffs, and U.S. farmers will find a new market for meats, fruits and vegetables, cereals, and dairy products."

Congress passed the agreement by a large bipartisan vote, which Representative Portman sees as "an encouraging sign of bipartisan congressional support for trade and reflects the administration’s commitment to work closely with lawmakers of both parties in the approval process."

Cattlemen Urge Co-Sponsors on Manure Bill:  NCBA remains focused on moving legislation that would exempt manure from regulation as a Superfund material.  H.R. 4341 was introduced November 17 by Reps. Ralph Hall (R-Texas) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and currently has 41 co-sponsors.

For cattlemen, this issue could have a tremendous impact. If opponents of animal agriculture are successful in their efforts to bring manure under Superfund regulations, any cattle producer that spreads manure on a pasture or provides it for use as a fertilizer by someone else could be subject to EPA's Superfund laws, originally intended to address hazardous and toxic industrial chemical spills.

All livestock operators should contact their members of Congress and convey that livestock manure is NOT a Superfund material and cattle operations are NOT Superfund sites.  Urge your member of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 4341 to exempt manure from Superfund Regulations!  To contact representatives directly, producers can visit http://capwiz.com/beefusa, customize the letter provided, and send this message directly to their Member of Congress. 

CFTC:  The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced this week the appointment of Commissioner Michael V. Dunn to serve as Chairman and Designated Federal Official of its Agricultural Advisory Committee.  This committee advises the CFTC on agricultural issues surrounding the trading of commodity futures and options and to serve as a communications link with the agricultural community. It is made up of representatives of national farm organizations, major commodity groups, agribusiness concerns, and agricultural bankers.

Congressional Schedule:  The Senate Judiciary Committee returned to Washington this week for hearings on the nomination of Samuel Alito to be Supreme Court Judge.  The full Senate is expected to return next Monday.  The House is scheduled to return from recess January 31.

BSE Surveillance:  USDA’s Enhanced BSE Surveillance Program continues having already tested over half million high-risk animals for BSE since June 1, 2004.  As of today, the program has tested 581,840 targeted animals at highest risk for BSE and has found only one confirmed case, evidence that our firewalls are working and the prevalence of this disease in the U.S. is extremely low.  Testing 268,500 animals can detect BSE at a rate of 1 in 10 million adult cattle at a 99 percent confidence level.

COUNTDOWN TO CONVENTION:  The 2006 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show takes place February 1-4, 2006 in Denver! 

ESAP Winner To be Announced Feb. 2:  The National Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) Selection Committee will announce the National Winner of the 15th Annual Awards Feb. 2 at the 2006 Cattle Industry Convention. 

The national winner is chosen from these seven regional winners announced last summer:

• Region I: Li’l Ponderosa Enterprises, Carlisle, Pa.
• Region II: Lightsey Cattle Company, Lake Wales, Fla.
• Region III: Faris Farms, Mount Ayr, Iowa
• Region IV: Richards Ranch, Jacksboro, Texas
• Region V: Sims Cattle Company LLC, McFadden, Wyo.
• Region VI: Prather Ranch, Fall River Mills, Calif.
• Region VII: Gates Angus Ranch, Coldwater, Kan.

Established in 1991 by NCBA and sponsored by Dow AgroSciences and the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the ESAP honors America’s ranching operations where stewardship practices are inventive, cost-effective and contribute to environmental conservation.
Applications for the 16th annual ESAP award are now available at http://hill.beef.org/esap, or contact NCBA’s Washington office for more information.

NCBA Career Fair At Convention: NCBA's Human Resources Department will host a Career Fair Booth at the 2006 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show in the NCBA area of the Trade Show, Booth #2330.  The primary purpose of the Fair is to recruit for open positions at NCBA and in the cattle industry as a whole.  Convention attendees are encouraged to stop by the booth for career training tips and assistance in writing an effective cover letter and resume.  Industry groups, organizations, and producers are encouraged to contact NCBA with information about job openings so that the information can be included in trade show publications and listings.  The deadline to submit open positions to be included in the HR booth/Career Fair is Monday, January 23, 2006!  Please contact Erica Spiegle at espiegle@beef.org or 202-347-0228!

Plenty to do in Denver to Support NCBA-PAC:  2006 is an election year!  Your support for NCBA’s Political Action Committee is needed more than ever!  Our PAC allows us to combine resources to financially support candidates that represent the interests and views of America’s cattle ranchers. Your political involvement makes a bold statement, and NCBA has planned a wide array of convention events where you can support your PAC and help make a difference in this year’s election cycle!  See below for our PAC event calendar!

NCBA-PAC/PEF Silent Auction
Wednesday, February 1 – Friday, February 3
NCBA Booth (Booth #2330), Cattle Industry Convention Trade Show
Featuring unique artwork, trips, and collectables from all over the country

NCBA-PAC/PEF All Breed Bull Auction
Thursday, February 2, 2:00pm
Booth 2400, Cattle Industry Convention Trade Show
Featuring Bulls, Seed stock, and Sale Credits from some of the nation’s top breeders
* Donations of seedstock and sale credits will be accepted until Friday, January 13, 2006; contact Erin Vincent at 202-347-0228 or evincent@beef.org. 

NCBA-PAC/PEF Team Penning & Barn Dance
Friday, February 3, 6:30 – 11:00pm
National Western Complex (Transportation provided from all Convention hotels)
Sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health
An evening of fun and excitement featuring the team penning competition finals, a live Calcutta auction, steak dinner, and entertainment by James Lann & Branded. 
Tickets Available at Registration!  $55/person · $85/couple · $30/children under 12

NCBA-PAC/PEF Ski Train Trip to Winter Park, CO
Sunday, February 5
Transportation aboard the ski train and skiing at one of the most popular ski destinations in Colorado. 
Tickets: $155 – with ski rentals · $130 – without rentals · $85 – train trip only

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.

Convention Housing Deadline January 23:  The NCBA Housing Bureau will continue to accept Hotel Reservation Forms until January 23 (after that date, contact your desired hotel directly, and they will still honor our special Convention rates on a first-come first-served basis).  At print time, the Embassy Suites, Grand Hyatt Hotel, and the Comfort Inn have rooms available. For the latest availability and for a list of the hotels, check our web site at www.BeefUSA.org/AnnualConvention.aspx.

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