Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns
March 1, 2007
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). Please feel free to reprint.
OIE Panel May Upgrade BSE Rating for United States: A panel for the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) is expected to recommend the United States be designated as a “controlled risk” region for BSE, a classification that should help convince U.S. trading partners that barriers to U.S. beef are unjustified and should be dropped.
In March 2005, NCBA asked USDA to apply to the OIE for a new BSE classification. Since June 1, 2004, the United States tested more than 750,000 high-risk animals as part of its enhanced BSE surveillance program and found only two native cases of BSE. More importantly, the United States has exceeded all OIE requirements in implementing BSE safeguards to ensure the safety of U.S. beef and prevent the spread of BSE in the U.S. cattle herd. “There is no other country in the world that has done more than the United States to analyze the risks of BSE as early as 1986 and take preventive actions dating back to 1989,” says NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Jay Truitt.
A “controlled risk” status – the classification expected by U.S. government and industry officials – is considered favorable in the international community and should help pave the way for trade in all U.S. beef and beef products regardless of age as long as specified risk materials (SRMs) are removed. The OIE will meet in May for its annual general session where OIE's 167 member countries will vote to approve or disapprove of the classification proposed.
Korea Won’t Budge on Bone-In Product Despite OIE Recommendation: According to media reports, a South Korean official has said that despite a potential change in the United States’ BSE classification, South Korea has no plans to re-open its markets to bone-in beef product.
South Korean officials say a special task force is already evaluating the impact of media reports that say an OIE panel will recommend the United States and Canada be declared “controlled risk” countries for BSE, meaning both countries have experienced cases of BSE but have appropriate BSE control measures in place to protect beef safety and animal health. "The team is closely watching the latest developments and examining in detail how Seoul can scientifically respond to demands from Washington for broader market liberalization," said South Korea’s Vice Agriculture Minister Park Hae-sang.
Meanwhile, more discussions on a U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are scheduled for next week. U.S. officials have said they will not support the FTA until reasonable beef trade with South Korea resumes.
Being Anti-TPA is Being Anti-Trade: NCBA members believe in the expansion of trade and are fighting for renewal of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) this year. This Presidential authority is vital for the United States at the negotiating table.
There is no question that TPA gives Congress an active role in trade negotiations. The President is required to consult with Congress and the public before and during all negotiations. After a final agreement is reached following extensive negotiations, TPA allows trade agreements to be approved or rejected by Congress on a simple “yes” or “no” vote. This important legislation prevents special interests of one group from blocking beneficial trade agreements.
Defending free trade and encouraging new trade agreements are very important to cattle producers. The President’s Trade Promotion Authority will expire June 30, 2007, unless action is taken by Congress. Between 1994 and 2002, when the President did not have TPA, the United States fell dangerously behind the European Union in negotiating free trade agreements and investment agreements, causing U.S. businesses and farmers to lose market share in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
NCBA members were leaders in the fight for Congressional passage of TPA in 2001-2002. Other nations view TPA as necessary before they will seriously deal with U.S. negotiators. NCBA will continue to urge Congress for renewal of this important international trade legislation.
NCBA President on Capitol Hill: North Carolina cattle producer and NCBA President John Queen flew to Washington, D.C., this week to meet with various congressional offices and government officials on behalf of U.S. cattle producers.
Queen met with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson (D-Minn.) to discuss the writing of the 2007 Farm Bill. Queen talked to Chairman Peterson about the most important priorities for cattle producers in the development of the Farm Bill, as voted upon in recent national meetings. Among NCBA’s priorities are minimizing direct federal involvement in agricultural production methods, and preserving the individual’s right to manage land, water, and other resources. National agricultural policy should be based on a free, private enterprise, competitive market system. NCBA wants a 2007 Farm Bill that provides an opportunity to compete in foreign markets, and supports equitable farm policy. Queen told Peterson how NCBA members support a reduction of the federal deficit while assuring funding for priorities, without agriculture bearing a disproportionate share of the reductions.
NCBA President Queen also met with Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), who personally congratulated him for recently becoming the president of the NCBA. Queen talked with Dole one-on-one about the problems with the Death Tax and how it is destructive for farmers and ranchers who want to keep their business in operation. He also discussed the question of a ban on packer ownership and how such a ban would negatively affect all layers of the cattle business. In addition, Queen talked about cattle producers' needs for fair, fully restored trade based upon sound science.
Cattlemen Pushing for CAFO Tax Credits: Legislation was introduced in the House late last week that will provide owners of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) with tax incentives for complying with new environmental regulations.
NCBA is supportive of the legislation which will help CAFO owners pay for some of the costs incurred by new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations aimed at controlling waste runoff and requiring discharge permits by July 31, 2007. Permit costs and modifications to livestock operations could cost producers hundreds of thousands of dollars each.
H.R. 1217 was introduced by Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) on February 16. “It's important to protect our environment with the cooperation of livestock producers,” said Smith. “This legislation will provide some tax relief to producers who are working to keep the environment clean.” Co-sponsors include Reps. Michael Conaway (R-Texas), Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.) and Robin Hayes (R-N.C.). Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) has introduced similar legislation (S. 285) in the Senate.
Congressional Schedule: Both the House and the Senate reconvened this week following last week’s President’s Day recess. Next week, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry will hold a hearing to review the impact of feed costs on the livestock industry. U.S. cattlemen are concerned about rising feed costs due to increased demand for corn-based ethanol production. In his testimony, NCBA member and Texas cattleman Ernie Morales will give the subcommittee a first-hand perspective on how this is impacting producers in the countryside.
Ag Outlook Forum This Week: NCBA is participating in this week’s USDA 2007 Agricultural Outlook Forum, "Agriculture at the Crossroads: Energy, Farm and Rural Policy," March 1-2, in Arlington, Virginia. NCBA’s Chief Economist Gregg Doud will moderate a panel, “Livestock & Poultry Industry Outlook” on Friday morning. A full roster of Forum speakers, program, and other information is posted at www.usda.gov.
Beef Safety Summit: The 2007 Beef Industry Safety Summit is taking place this week in Dallas, February 28-March 2. This is the industry’s fifth consecutive safety summit where participants discuss and develop industry-wide science-based strategies, research and best practices aimed at making beef even safer. From NCBA’s Washington office, Director of Environmental Issues Tamara Thies is attending and speaking on the summit program about how current environmental regulations help ensure the safety of foods on the farm. The summit convenes representatives from all cattle and beef industry segments including cattle production, fabrication, processing, retail and foodservice. More information is posted at www.bifsco.org.
Indiana Ag Leadership Group in Washington: NCBA’s Washington office hosted an ag leadership group from Indiana this week. The Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program visited with NCBA staff on Thursday, March 1. The Agriculture Leadership Program is a two-year course designed to develop the next generation of leadership in Indiana agriculture and rural communities. NCBA Executive Director of Legislative Affairs Colin Woodall and NCBA Director of Legislative Affairs Stacey Katseanes briefed the group on many of the issues we’re working on in Washington, especially Farm Bill development and renewable energy issues.
ESAP Deadline This Month!: Nomination forms for the 2007 Environmental Stewardship Awards Program (ESAP) are due on March 17, 2007. Any organization, group, or individual can submit a nomination on behalf of a U.S. cattle producer. Sponsored by NCBA, Dow AgroSciences and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, ESAP honors cattle producers whose stewardship practices are inventive, cost-effective and contribute to environmental conservation. On February 1, Wyoming-based Thaler Land & Livestock Company was named the 2006 ESAP National Winner. Go to www.beefusa.org/esap for more information and to download an application, or contact NCBA’s Washington, D.C. office at 202-347-0228.
Don’t Miss This Week’s NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen: Tune into NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen this week for an exclusive interview with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and a special feature from Capitol Hill on making your voices heard in Washington, D.C. Re-running throughout the week, NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen on RFD-TV provides weekly news and features for cattle producers across the country. The show airs Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. and is rebroadcast Wednesdays at 4:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Saturdays at 10 a.m. Make sure YOU tune into NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen on channel RFD-TV. All times are Eastern. For more information, visit www.cattlementocattlemen.org.
Media Contact:
Tanya Augustson Camarra or Karen Batra at 202-347-0228, tacamarra@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.