July 28, 2005

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).

Cattle Producers Cheer Passage of CAFTA: Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the U.S. Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) by a vote of 217 to 215. Members of NCBA, the oldest and largest national association representing the cattle industry, applaud House members for realizing the agreement’s immediate benefits for U.S. agriculture. Clearly, a majority of our Representatives understand that CAFTA exemplifies the sort of trade agreement which is a win-win vote for all Americans.

Cattle producers across the U.S. have spent many long hours fighting for passage of this agreement, meeting with trade representatives, members of Congress, officially commenting on the negotiations, and working toward this final outcome—new market access opportunities for our U.S. beef. 

We now celebrate the opportunity and look forward to growing these new markets for U.S. beef in Central and South America. In the CAFTA nations, there’s a need for high quality grain-fed beef in hotels and restaurants that only the U.S. can provide. With many of our export markets still closed due to the Dec. 23, 2003 BSE case, having the President sign CAFTA into law this year will be great timing for cattle producers. NCBA would like to thank all of the House members who dedicated their time and effort to fighting the myths about this agreement.

USDA Announces Non-definitive BSE Test Result: On Wednesday, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a non-definitive test result as part of its aggressive surveillance program to test cattle for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). The USDA confirmed this animal did not enter the human food or animal feed supply and is at least 12 years old, born before the feed ban. USDA is conducting further testing at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa in consultation with experts from the international reference laboratory in Weybridge, England. They are also sending samples to Weybridge for further testing.

NCBA continues to reiterate: the U.S. government and the beef industry have put science-based precautions in place over the past 15 years to ensure our beef remains safe from BSE.  As cattle producers and beef-lovers, providing safe and wholesome beef remains our number one priority. To learn more about BSE, go to www.BSEinfo.org

NCBA Summer Conference in Denver This Week: While Congress finishing up for the summer, the 2005 Cattle Industry Summer Conference is going on at the same time this week in Denver, Colorado. NCBA is hosting nearly 1,000 attendees for major industry issue forums, policy committee meetings, board meetings and events. On Wednesday, NCBA Executive Committee held meetings, and the “NCBA Cattlemen’s Action Center” allowed visitors to call Congress urging support for CAFTA this week.

Denver Issue Forums and Regional Meetings: Today, the Beef Industry Issue Forums provided up-to-date information on current issues, challenges and opportunities facing cattlemen, including: BSE, Animal ID, Foot and Mouth Disease, etc. and offered in-depth question and answer sessions for conference participants.  Also today are the NCBA Regional Caucus Meetings and the NCBA Officers Forum, with an evening event honoring the new seven regional Environmental Stewardship Award WINNERS!

• BSE Issues Forum:  USDA’s announcement this week of a “non-definitive” test result for BSE came less than 24 hours before NCBA hosted hundreds of cattle producers at their Summer Conference Issues Forums.  Needless to say, this added interest in the forum devoted to BSE, and it was standing-room only in Plaza Ballroom F where attendees gathered to learn more about USDA’s latest BSE situation, and hear presentations from NCBA staff on feed regulations and the impacts on trade.  Dr. John Clifford, deputy administrator for veterinary services at USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, discussed the July 27 announcement and the future of the enhanced BSE surveillance program.  In addition, he gave an update on USDA’s minimal risk rule which allows for movement of cattle from Canada, and USDA’s views of OIE’s new guidelines on BSE.
• NCBA Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs Gary Weber gave a presentation on FDA’s proposed changes to the feed rule.  Weber pointed out that we are moving toward an era of zero risk for BSE in the U.S.  As we near the 8-year anniversary of the feed ban, we are closer to eradicating this disease from the U.S. cow herd.  Clifford agrees that BSE is a “dying disease” but said USDA will need to “continue their enhanced BSE surveillance program for an extended period of time.”  NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud said that reopening the export markets lost since December 31, 2003 remains a top priority for NCBA and for the Bush administration.  Doud said he believes negotiations with our top markets, such as Japan and South Korea, are progressing.
• Animal ID Issues Forum:  Another hotly-attended Issue Forum at Summer Conference was focused on Animal ID.  NCBA President-Elect Mike John chairs NCBA’s Animal ID Commission and led the discussion on the Commission’s activities to date which includes the selection of a technology partner (BearingPoint, working with ViaTrace, Microsoft and S&H Marketing) to develop the data storage infrastructure for the industry-led ID program.  John says final negotiations with BearingPoint are still ongoing, but the team hopes to begin Beta testing the system in October 2005 and be fully operational by January 1, 2006. 
• The private industry program was designed to meet three specific criteria:
  1) To achieve the government’s objective of 48-hour traceback in the event of an animal health incident; 2) To maintain confidentiality of producers’ business information; and 3) to provide an information exchange and opportunities for market incentives.  Participants at the Animal ID forum were given a 3-page handout of frequently asked Questions and Answers.  This document is posted on the Animal ID section of our website, or contact Karen Batra at NCBA at Kbatra@beef.org or 202-347-0228.

NCBA Policy Meetings in Denver: This Friday, NCBA members will be involved in extensive policy committee meetings. From NCBA’s Agriculture Policy Committee, NCBA Federal Lands Committee, to NCBA’s Emerging Cattle Health Issues Working Group, hundreds of producers are actively addressing specific policy issues affecting the cattle industry. The meetings offer public discussion, the latest updates from Washington D.C., and a platform for the introduction of new policy, and consideration of current NCBA policy changes. On Saturday morning, all policy resolutions and directives brought up and approved in committee meetings will be brought before all conference attendees and the NCBA Board of Directors. Below are some expected highlights:

• Cattle Health Policy: NCBA members will review the U.S. Canada Issues Working Group Report and the Emerging Cattle Health Research and Issues Report. Participants will get an update on the latest Animal Identification issues from Allen Bright, NCBA’s Animal ID coordinator and Gary Wilson, NAIP Beef Working Group. Hot topics include an update from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on BSE surveillance issues from Dr. John Clifford, DVM, Deputy Administrator APHIS Veterinary Services and an update on the Tuberculosis situation in Mexico from Dr. Clifford and Dr. Chuck Massengill, DVM, MO Animal Health Epidemiologist.
• Federal Lands Policy: This committee will conduct discussions and updates on top legislative issues affecting federal lands, hearing from U.S. Forest Service representatives and Congressional staff.  The Deputy Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Jim Hughes, will discuss the Wild Horse and Burro Management Program. Also on the schedule is a BLM Grazing Regulations Task Force Report, NCBA Policy Review and more.
• International Markets: Hot topics in this committee include re-opening exports markets and a discussion of trade negotiations with special emphasis on the European Union beef market. Todd Drennan, Deputy Director, Dairy Livestock and Poultry Division, Foreign Ag Service will discuss these issues, along with various other trade representatives. Also pressing are World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations and the EU Beef Market. Members will be updated on the status of international beef trade across the globe.
• Live Cattle Marketing: Committee members will be given a market update and an Animal ID update. John Van Dyke with USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service and Jim Robb with the Livestock Marketing Information Center are slated as guest speakers regarding Mandatory Price Reporting. John Barthel with Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) will discuss the Meat and Livestock Marketing Study.
• Property Rights: Guest Speaker Brent Fewell, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Water Programs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will give an update on the Clean Water Act CAFO Rule. Another EPA representative will discuss with cattle producers the status of coarse particulate matter regulation under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards and the status of Clean Air Act major source permitting portion of NCBA's White Paper. Also on the schedule is the Endangered Species Act, discussion of conservation programs in preparation for 2007 Farm Bill debate and an update on the ESAP and Walk a Mile in My Boots programs.
• Agriculture Policy: This committee will begin Friday’s meetings with an overview of Conservation Programs and what we can expect in the next 2007 Farm Bill. Ben Anderson, staff director of the House of Representatives’ Agriculture Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Dairy, Nutrition, and Forestry will cover the Renewable Fuels Act of 2005 and its affect on corn production and the next farm bill. Also on the agenda is an update on Horse Slaughter and Animal Rights, and a review of actions by the 109th Congress and what we expect for the remainder of this session.
• Tax & Credit Issues: This committee will discuss all federal tax and credit matters involving the beef cattle industry including state tax and credit issues, which have federal impact. This committee meeting will feature an update on the expected Death Tax vote this fall, a Washington Update and review of the current NCBA Tax Policy.

AWARD Winners Recognized in Denver:  The Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) Selection Committee’s the seven regional winners are gaining a good deal of press attention this week and are being recognized at a special event at the summer conference in Denver tonight. This 15th annual award is sponsored by NCBA and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and recognizes cattle producers across the nation whose stewardship practices are inventive, cost-effective and contribute to environmental conservation. The national winner will be selected among the seven regional winners and will be announced at NCBA’s Annual Convention in February 2006. NCBA has HUNDREDS of beautiful outdoor photos from the winning ranches- please contact us directly if you would like to promote the benefits of land stewardship in your publication with photos from the award winning ranches. Contact:  Stacey Katseanes skatseanes@beef.org or Tanya Augustson taugustson@beef.org or 202-347-0228.

Back in D.C., NCBA news continues…

Death Tax Vote Expected after Summer Recess:  Despite Senate Majority Leader Frist’s efforts to get this vote in the Senate before recess, it appears that the Senate will not vote on permanent repeal of the Death Tax this week.  However, it looks like there may be a vote in September.  Cattle producers across the U.S. can take time over the August recess to visit their Senators personally in their home state. Lawmakers need to hear personal stories from constituents about how this tax hurts small business operations in their state, and why the Death Tax must GO! Make your voices heard in Washington D.C. regarding this unfair tax.

Senate Conservation Hearings: NCBA member and Texas cattle producer Steve Manning testified on Tuesday, July 26 before the Senate Ag Committee’s Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Rural Revitalization. The hearing, titled “Supporting Species Conservation through the Farm Bill,” was called to discuss how farm bill programs can better support species conservation. Subcommittee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) has long been an avid supporter of strengthening the Endangered Species Act, and cattlemen commend his efforts to strengthen species conservation while respecting landowners and agricultural industries. As discussions of the 2007 Farm Bill begin gearing up on Capitol Hill, NCBA and the Public Lands Council will be actively engaged in activities where we can represent cattlemen’s interests in Farm Bill discussions. Producers across the country can make sure their voices are heard first-hard at USDA’s Farm Bill listening sessions.  See below to see if a listening session is scheduled near your home town, and learn how you can provide written comments to the USDA on the upcoming Farm Bill. 

On Wednesday, the same subcommittee hosted a hearing titled “Oversight of the Conservation Reserve Program. More than 28 million acres of CRP contract lands are scheduled to expire between 2007 and 2010.

USDA Farm Bill Listening Sessions:  USDA will host three upcoming Farm Bill Listening Sessions:
-Aug. 3, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.  Minnesota Farm Fest, Redwood County, MN
-Aug. 4, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Wisconsin State Fair, West Allis, WI
-Aug. 11, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Iowa State Fair, Des Moines, IA
-Aug. 12, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Fresno County Fairgrounds, Fresno, CA
The public is also welcome to submit comments via the USDA Farm Bill Forums website.           

New Grazing Regs Subject of Lawsuit:  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has yet to formally issue their revised grazing regulations, but a radical environmental group has already filed a lawsuit to stop the regs. In a suit filed July 21 in Idaho federal district court, Western Watersheds Project charges BLM with violating the National Environmental Policy Act and says the anticipated rules unfairly limit public comment and illegally extend the required time frame for BLM to address the environmental impacts of livestock grazing. NCBA’s Director of Federal Lands Jeff Eisenberg says the litigation is a distraction at a time when industry, government and conservation groups are working to develop real solutions to environmental concerns on grazing lands. “We’re all about working together to promote sustainable use of the lands and find workable solutions to environmental concerns,” says Eisenberg.  “We all worked hard to inject reason and science into the debate as the grazing regs were being developed.  It’s a waste of time to fight policy in the courts after the fact.”

FSIS Comments: NCBA sent in comments Monday regarding the Food Safety Inspection Service “HACCP Plan Reassessment for Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products.” NCBA believes that while continued efforts to ensure the control and reduction of E.Coli 0157:H7 are prudent, the incidence on the surface of subprimals is rare. We believe that when conducting their HACCP reassessment, establishments should carefully and independently consider their Sanitation SOPs for tenderized and enhanced beef products. NCBA does not see sufficient scientific evidence at this time to support a requirement of beef establishments that they discriminately label mechanically tenderized beef products as non-intact. The full comments will be available online in PDF form.

Mandatory Price Reporting: On Wednesday, the House Agriculture Committee reauthorized Mandatory Price Reporting (MPR) for 5 years by voice vote. This reauthorization will now go to the full House and is expected pass in September. MPR legislation currently expires on September 30, 2005. For years, NCBA has aggressively pursued the continued development and improvement of the price reporting system. MPR was developed to achieve more transparency in the marketplace and provide more information to producers, and with the reauthorization process, producers’ needs and concerns as they relate to price reporting are being addressed.

USDA BSE Surveillance:  USDA continues with its BSE Enhanced Surveillance Program.  To date, the program has tested 419,113 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.

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.

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