Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns
January 13, 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 BSE Case: NCBA continues to address issues related to Canadian trade and BSE. On Tuesday January 11, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced the discovery of BSE in a Charolais cow from Alberta. This news comes on the heels of the Jan. 2 discovery of BSE in an Alberta dairy cow. No part of either animal entered the food or feed systems. Birth records indicate that the Charolais cow was born in March 1998, after Canada’s ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban went into effect. This has raised concerns regarding the Canadian government’s enforcement of the feed ban and how Canadian producers are complying. America’s cattle producers insist that the feed ban be strictly enforced, and we must be assured Canada is in full compliance. With this in mind, NCBA members are making requests below.
NCBA Members Call for Answers: The recent cases of BSE in Canada come at a time when the USDA has proposed reopening the Canadian border to some live cattle and beef imports effective March 7. Concerns over Canada’s feed ban compliance and the recent cases of BSE prompted NCBA’s Executive Committee to take the following actions: (1) Insist USDA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) obtain from Canadian government officials a detailed assessment of feed ban compliance, and (2) Urge USDA and FDA to gather additional information related to the recent BSE cases in Canada, and Canada’s compliance with BSE firewalls. USDA and the FDA should have adequate information on these issues and answers to all outstanding questions before proceeding with implementation of the Canadian rule. A delegation of U.S. government officials left for Alberta on Wednesday, Jan. 12 to investigate many of these issues.
U.S. Cattlemen Head to Canada: NCBA is sending a delegation of U.S. producers to Canada the week of Jan. 17. The group will gather information pertaining to the recent BSE cases, verify Canadian compliance with BSE firewalls, evaluate Canada’s BSE testing and surveillance program, inspect feed manufacturers, inspect border crossings, check the facts regarding the number of cattle that could be imported and also gain a clearer understanding of blue tongue and anaplasmosis requirements for U.S. feeder cattle to ensure harmonization of trade. NCBA’s trade delegation team will return from Canada just prior to the 2005 Cattle Industry Annual Convention, Feb. 2-5, in San Antonio. The team will report its findings to NCBA’s executive committee, and NCBA's official position on the Canadian Rule will be discussed at Convention 2005. Canada’s feed ban compliance is a key concern among U.S. producers. Once the questions concerning Canada’s compliance with its BSE firewalls have been adequately answered, NCBA members will consider their position on the rule and reopening the border.
Normalizing Trade Remains a Priority: Normalizing global trade remains the best way for U.S. cattlemen to increase their profitability. With 96 percent of the world’s population living outside U.S. borders, our ability to sell high quality U.S. beef to the world is key to growing the U.S. beef industry and increasing profitability for America’s cattle producers. But NCBA insists that these trade decisions not be taken lightly. U.S. cattlemen lost $15/cwt ($175/head) on fed cattle prices when our export markets closed as a result of the U.S. Dec. 23, 2003 BSE discovery. As the U.S. works to re-open our own export markets, we are also addressing the issues surrounding the reopening of the Canadian border, and we are committed to resuming trade based on science-based principles and in a manner that prevents economic harm to U.S. cattle producers.
Japan: NCBA President Jan Lyons and CEO Terry Stokes were in Washington D.C. this week for meetings with key White House officials to further discuss issues relating to resumption of beef trade with Japan. During last week’s confirmation hearing for the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, eleven members of the Senate Agriculture Committee urged nominee Gov. Mike Johanns and the American public about the importance of the Japanese export market to the U.S. beef industry. NCBA continues to push for aggressive action by President Bush and his Administration to swiftly re-open Japanese and other markets for U.S. beef.
Dietary Guidelines: This Wednesday Jan. 12, the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services released its 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These guidelines form the basis of federal food, nutrition education and information programs. The updated Food Guide (Pyramid) will likely be released in March. NCBA’s nutrition team has been actively involved in the process as the government works to revise the Dietary Guidelines.
NCBA supports the 2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s overall theme: eating more nutrient-rich foods and being more active are essential to achieving a healthful weight and lifestyle. Calorie-for-calorie, lean beef provides more nutrients in fewer calories than many other animal proteins. For more information, go to www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines
JAMA Study: This week, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) distributed an article titled "Meat Consumption and Risk of Colorectal Cancer," which generated quite a bit of media attention. NCBA staff conducted pre-release interviews with various major media outlets. The research did not differentiate between beef, other red meats and processed (or preserved) meats in its analysis. Therefore, it provides little meaningful information to consumers. Lean meat has been shown to have protective factors against cancer, and as a naturally nutrient-rich food, beef plays an important role in the diet. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a natural trans fatty acids that is abundant in beef, has been shown to have anticarcinogenic effects and inhibit tumor growth and development. Beef is an excellent source of both selenium and zinc, which current research shows may play a role in cancer-protection. For more information, check out the article "No Beef Behind Cancer Scare," found at www.junkscience.com/jan05/meatcancer.htm or the article titled "Latest Anti-Meat Study: The Real Story" at www.consumerfreedom.com
CAFTA-DR: NCBA is involved in various meetings this week regarding strategy for Congressional implementation of the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). NCBA is part of the Business Coalition for U.S.-Central America Trade. The CAFTA-DR is an excellent agreement for U.S. cattle producers and NCBA urges the consideration and passage of the agreement as soon as possible.
Young Stockgrowers Leadership Conference: Errol Rice, NCBA’s Associate Director of Livestock Marketing Services is in Helena, MT attending the MSGA Young Stockgrower Conference, Jan. 13-14. This two-day leadership development conference provides an opportunity for young people involved in Montana’s cattle industry to learn more about MSGA and its interaction with government and industry associates. Rice spoke on the conference program Thursday afternoon and gave a Washington D.C. perspective on issues facing the ranching industry.
NCBA Satellite Forum: This week, NCBA hosted a 60-minute Satellite Town Hall Meeting, broadcast live on RFD-TV Wednesday, Jan. 12 and re-broadcast earlier today. Cattlemen from around the nation had the opportunity to call-in and speak to NCBA representatives on Canadian trade and other current issues.
Congressional Session: Congress is out on recess until after Inauguration Day, Jan. 20.
USDA Surveillance for BSE: USDA continues its enhanced BSE surveillance program which began June 1. To date, 178,336 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.