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).

Country-of-origin labeling (popularly known as COOL) for beef and other meat products remains a controversial and divisive issue in the beef industry. A mandatory COOL program is scheduled to take effect in September 2006 (although there is language in the Ag Appropriations bill to delay funding for an additional year). An alternative to mandatory COOL, the Meat Promotion Act (H.R. 2068 and S. 1333) has also recently been introduced in Congress.

Cattlemen favor COOL in some form – on that point, most of us are in agreement. But some proponents of mandatory COOL seem to go way beyond the desire to merely promote the quality and characteristics of U.S.-raised beef. They would have consumers believe that if beef doesn’t carry a "Raised in the USA" label, it may not be safe.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The top priority for all cattlemen should be to assure consumers that all beef offered for sale in the United States is absolutely safe. I am as proud as anyone of the quality of the beef we produce in the United States, but I don’t need to frighten consumers into choosing it over foreign-raised beef. Consumer confidence is essential to growing beef demand, and we cannot undermine that confidence by implying only "some beef" is safe, while some may or may not be.

Supporters of mandatory COOL also overlook the fact that the vast majority of imported beef sold in the United States won’t fall under the current mandatory rule. In fact, the majority of imported beef is sold through U.S. foodservice outlets which are exempt from the mandatory rule. In the average grocery store meat case, over 90 percent of the beef offered for sale will carry the U.S.A.-origin label. Do I really need an expensive, mandatory program to distinguish my product from less than 10 percent of the beef with which it competes? How is that serving the interests of U.S. cattlemen?

The success of many voluntary branded beef initiatives, which tout not only quality but also source identification, should be a signal to our industry that a mandatory solution is not needed. Our country was founded on free enterprise, not socialism or isolationism. We need to let the free market system in this country decide the value of origin labeling.

As a cattleman who takes great pride in the beef I raise, I want to appeal to consumers’ desire for a quality product, rather than pander to unfounded fears about food safety. I also want the ability to be innovative and to differentiate my beef from other products – both foreign and domestic. I therefore feel that the voluntary measures proposed in the Meat Promotion Act offer a superior alternative to the costly, mandatory COOL requirements scheduled to take effect in 2006.

Country-of-Origin Labeling: Producer-members of NCBA are supporting efforts in the Senate to bring to fruition common sense country-of-origin labeling.  Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark), along with 13 co-sponsors, introduced the Meat Promotion Act (S. 1333) on June 29. The bill aims to establish a voluntary, market-driven labeling program for beef, pork and lamb. Companion legislation in the U.S. House, the Goodlatte-Berry-Blunt Meat Promotion Act (H.R. 2068) currently has 45 co-sponsors.  Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) introduced the Food Promotion Act (S. 1300) on June 23, which implements a country-of-origin labeling program for meat and produce. NCBA supports all these efforts to implement a labeling program that will be beneficial for producers and consumers. Cattle producers should contact their members of Congress and urge them to support these bills. 

BOGUS CAFTA CLAIMS: While the U.S. Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) is being debated tonight on the floor of the U.S. Senate, a few cattlemen continue to make erroneous comments regarding this agreement after taking a last-minute trip to the tropics. Fact is, the time to question CAFTA and actually affect the outcome for our industry was during the negotiating process, not after the agreement has been signed by all seven participating countries. That’s why NCBA was there for cattle producers, in the middle of it, making sure the terms of the agreement would most benefit the cattle industry.

CAFTA-DR is MOOving fast: Round UP NCBA!: We are applauding action by the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means committee that led to passage of the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).  With the Senate bill (S. 1307) being debated by the full Senate, a Senate vote could come anytime. The House will likely begin deliberations on their bill (H.R. 3045) immediately following their July 4 recess. Both Houses of Congress are required to cast an up-or-down vote with no opportunities to offer amendments.

BSE Surveillance Update: The USDA, along with the Texas Animal Health Commission, announced this week that the animal identified June 24 as positive for BSE was born and raised in a herd in Texas and was approximately 12 years old. USDA said DNA tests confirmed the origin of the animal’s source herd. In accordance with World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines, USDA is continuing the investigation to identify other ‘animals of interest’ and a hold has been placed on the source herd.

NCBA reiterates that this animal did not enter the human food or animal feed supply, and the animal was born before the industry’s feed ban. Food safety is assured through mandatory removal of specified risk materials at processing, and the health of the U.S. cattle heard is protected by the feed ban implemented in 1997.

BSE Trade Impacts: In the wake of the June 24 announcement that a U.S. animal tested positive for BSE, there was little change in beef export market status with most of the United States trading partners. Only Belize, Indonesia, Philippines, St. Lucia and Taiwan, have halted trade with the U.S. Media reports quote Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi saying the recent case will not affect Japan's decision to resume beef trade with the United States.

Interior Appropriations: The U.S. Senate approved its fiscal year 2006 Appropriations package (H.R. 2361) for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies by a 94–0 vote late June 29. The Senate showed its support for the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) wild horse and burro sale authority by not including an amendment barring funding for BLM to sell un-adoptable horses and burros as required under section 142 of P.L. 108-447 that was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this Spring. For ranchers and land managers, this action by the Senate keeps intact an important management tool for the federal government to balance the multiple uses on America’s public lands. The Department of Interior and BLM use this authority to sell horses to citizens who want to provide homes for the horses. Having passed the House and Senate in different forms, the FY 2006 Interior, environment and related agencies Appropriations bill will be reviewed by a conference of Senate and House members for final approval and resolution of differences.

TPA Extension: In March, the Bush Administration requested an extension of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which was enacted as part of the Trade Act of 2002. TPA currently applies to trade agreements signed before July 1, 2005, and the Administration’s request extends the deadline to July 1, 2007, unless either House disapproves by July 1, 2005. Therefore, the extension will likely become official this Friday.

TPA gives the Administration the authority to negotiate trade deals that Congress would have 90 days to approve or reject, but not amend. NCBA members and staff were very involved in the advancement of this legislation. Members of the NCBA staff attended the signing of the bill at the White House. Since TPA was signed into law, the Administration has finalized trade agreements that were in the making for a decade or more, such as Chile, as well as initiate an aggressive campaign of new bilateral agreements. TPA is the primary way to level the playing field around the world and successfully negotiate tariff reduction in Japan, Korea and other markets, reduce beef production subsidies and eliminate EU beef export subsidies.

Congressional Schedule: Congress is scheduled to adjourn Friday, July 1 for their July Fourth recess. They will reconvene on Monday, July 11.

Independent Cattle Association of Texas: NCBA’s Manager of Legislative Affairs Colin Woodall is in Galveston today at the Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas 31st annual convention and trade show, June 29 – July 1, 2005. Colin will give a rundown of all the issues NCBA is addressing in Washington on behalf of NCBA’s producer-members. Colin will discuss BSE, trade, country-of-origin labeling, mandatory price reporting, appropriations, Farm Bill planning, Endangered Species Act reform and property rights issues as well as give an update on where we are with EPA’s air and water standards.

National Junior Shorthorn Show and Conference: Colin Woodall was also in Harrisburg, PA earlier this week to speak at the 2005 National Junior Shorthorn Show and Conference (NJSS), June 28-July 2. Approximately 350 members of the American Junior Shorthorn Association heard Colin speak as part of the Youth Conference session. Colin talked about cattle industry policy issues but focused on the importance of participation and leadership within today’s cattle industry.

Farm Bill Listening Session July 7!: The first of USDA’s Farm Bill Listening Sessions is next week. The session will be held Thursday, July 7, 6:00-10:00pm in Nashville, Tenn. at RFD-TV Northstar Studios. The public is invited to attend and participate in the forum, which will be broadcast live on RFD-TV. In addition to accommodating approximately 300 in the audience, the forum also will accept calls from across the nation.

In preparation for debate on the new Farm Bill, USDA wants to ask farmers and ranchers how farm policy is affecting them and how USDA might make that policy better. Johanns says "I want to ask America's farmers and ranchers how our farm policy is working and how we can make it better. I believe very strongly that they deserve a voice in this process."

Cattlemen are asked to provide comments on six specific questions based on these policy considerations:

-How should farm policy be designed to maximize U.S. competitiveness and our country's ability to effectively compete in global markets?

-How should farm policy address any unintended consequences and ensure that such consequences do not discourage new farmers and the next generation of farmers from entering production agriculture?

-How should farm policy be designed to effectively and fairly distribute assistance to producers?

-How can farm policy best achieve conservation and environmental goals?

-How can Federal rural and farm programs provide effective assistance in rural areas?

-How should agricultural product development, marketing and research-related issues be addressed in the next farm bill?

Producer Comments on Animal ID Due July 6!: Producers are reminded to submit their comments on USDA’s NAIS Draft Strategic Plan and the NAIS Draft Program Standards. Of particular importance is that producers address the questions posed by USDA regarding a private-sector animal ID system. Producers may submit comments by July 6, 2005, by either of the following methods:

Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to
Docket No. 05-015-1
Regulatory Analysis and Development
PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71
4700 River Road, Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.
Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 05-015-1.

NCBA-PAC Golf Tournament Reg deadline July 5!: Attendees at NCBA’s Summer Conference in Denver have until JULY 5 to register for the NCBA-PAC golf tournament. The NCBA-PAC Golf Tournament will be held Tuesday, July 26 at Arrowhead Golf Club in Littleton, CO. The ticket price is $150.00 and includes transportation, green fees, cart rental, range balls, on course refreshments and a chuck wagon buffet. All proceeds will benefit NCBA-PAC/PEF. NCBA-PAC makes the voices of cattle producers heard on Capitol Hill by supporting members of Congress who speak for and protect our policy initiatives.

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