Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns
March 3, 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).

SANCTIONS ON JAPAN: NCBA was on Capitol Hill today to support Congressional efforts that call for economic sanctions to be placed upon Japan if they continue to delay the re-opening of their borders to U.S. beef. Kansas Congressman Jerry Moran introduced a resolution calling on Japan to meet its trade obligations under the agreement reached in October 2004. If Japan fails to abide by the agreement, then the legislation says the U.S. Trade Representative should initiate immediate retaliatory economic measures on Japan.  30 members of the House of Representatives signed the legislation. NCBA joined Congressman Jerry Moran in the press briefing on Capitol Hill today.

After more than a year of negotiations and working with Japanese officials on the details of a trade agreement, NCBA members believe Japan must honor the agreement made in October 2004, or face the consequences of economic sanctions. These sanctions demonstrate the seriousness of this issue for our industry. NCBA will continue its support for immediate consequences in response to Japan's continued inaction. The American beef supply is among the safest in the world and Japanese consumers are eager to enjoy our high-quality beef as soon as possible.

CANADIAN HEARING:  NCBA President and Texas cattle producer Jim McAdams testified before the House Agriculture Committee regarding Canadian/BSE trade issues this Tuesday, March 1.  The Committee also heard from Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, his first testimony before the Committee. In his testimony, McAdams called for strong action in re-opening vital export markets for U.S. beef. He outlined economic concerns regarding trade with Canada as determined by membership at the 2005 Convention but scolded those using this political border re-opening to make erroneous claims about the safety of Canadian beef. NCBA believes such claims can only result in undermining consumers’ understanding of this complex animal disease.

NCBA continues to work on the 11-point directive on Canadian trade passed by members at the annual Convention.  We are urging the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to resolve the Anaplasmosis and Blue Tongue issue for cattle of all ages as trade is resumed. NCBA continues to be concerned about how USDA can effectively enforce the ban on importation of bred heifers. Most importantly, NCBA continues to be disappointed with Japan’s inability to confirm a date when U.S. beef exports can resume flowing.  Our industry needs continued strong action at all levels of our government—from the President, to cabinet members, to diplomatic personnel, to Members of Congress—to apply the pressure needed to reopen this vital market. 

CANADIAN RULE DELAY: The U.S. Senate voted 52-46 today to disapprove the rule submitted by the USDA to establish minimal risk regions and resume trade in Canadian beef and cattle under 30 months of age. (S.J. Res. 4)  House Agriculture Committee Chairman Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Congressman Robin Hayes (R-SC) say they are disappointed that the Senate acted hastily in disapproving the USDA’s rule and that this decision “further undermines our nation’s credibility as we seek to eliminate non-tariff trade barriers around the world.” USDA Secretary Johanns says that he will now “work with the U.S. House of Representatives to prevent passage of this resolution,” and continue efforts to reopen all international markets to U.S. beef. The Bush Administration says it will veto this resolution.

Also this week, a temporary injunction was issued by the U.S. District Court for the district of Montana regarding USDA's Minimal-Risk Rule. The matter is now in the hands of the Federal Courts. NCBA members do not believe litigation is the solution for protecting the economic interests of U.S. cattlemen and, therefore, chose not to participate in this effort.  Rather, at the direction of our membership, NCBA continues to be focused on solutions to 11 conditions our members outlined nearly a month ago regarding the expedited re-opening of our valuable export markets.  Since that time, NCBA has worked diligently to seek solutions that benefit U.S. cattlemen. This is an issue of economic importance to U.S. cattlemen, and NCBA remains focused on delivering resolution to all 11 conditions.  NCBA has facilitated resolution on several points and will continue to fight for resolution on others. Our members are focused on solutions that will allow them to remain viable into the future. It is important for U.S. consumers to understand that these economic trade disputes are not about beef safety.  Regardless of whether beef is imported or domestic, all beef sold in the United States is safe from BSE.

MYERS NOMINATION:  The Senate Judiciary Committee conducted a hearing March 1 for William Myers, nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Myers faced a great deal of opposition from the Democratic members of the committee, who continue to fight many of President Bush's judicial nominees.  They have unfairly painted Myers as too hostile to environmental protection laws and too close to grazing and mining interests to be an effective judge.  These Democrats, however, have not taken a serious look at Myers’ entire career, especially in his efforts to help cattlemen.  Myers worked for NCBA and the Public Lands Council in the 1990’s.  President Bush nominated him to the federal bench last year, but his vote was blocked due to political maneuvering in July 2003.  President Bush re-nominated Myers on Feb. 14. 

If confirmed, Myers’ jurisdiction would be the largest in the country, including the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, representing over 485 million acres of federal lands.  Following his tenure at NCBA and PLC, Myers worked in private law practice before President Bush nominated him to be Solicitor, the top lawyer within the Department of the Interior. As Solicitor, Myers worked on numerous public lands and resource issues throughout the West.  The Judiciary Committee will meet later this month to vote on the Myers nomination.  It is expected that they will approve his nomination on a party line vote.  It is unclear at this point whether there will be enough votes to invoke cloture on the Senate floor and give Myers an up or down vote.  NCBA is urging support for Myers’ confirmation.

CENTRAL AMERICAN TRADE: Honduras announced today that it’s government has passed the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). This makes Honduras the second Latin American country after El Salvador to ratify a free trade agreement with the U.S. The CAFTA-DR is a great agreement for cattle producers, offering immediate tariff-free access for our high-quality U.S. beef products. Beef imports coming into the U.S. from these countries pay ZERO tariffs right now, while OUR beef exports to the same countries are taxed at 15-30 percent. As soon as the agreement is final, we can start sending our high-quality beef to these valuable tourist destinations with ZERO tariffs.

NCBA is strongly behind this agreement and urges the passage of the agreement by Congress as soon as possible. For more details, go to our NCBA CAFTA-DR Backgrounder at http://hill.beef.org/pdfs/CAFTA-DRFactSheet.pdf. NCBA is also a member of the Business Coalition for U.S. - Central America Trade.  More information about the agreement can be found on the coalition's website at www.uscafta.org or at www.ustr.gov. 

APPLICATIONS DUE TOMORROW! The deadline for applications for the 15th annual Environmental Stewardship Awards Program (ESAP) is Friday, March 4th 2005!  Any group or organization is eligible to nominate one individual/business who raises or feeds cattle.  The prestigious award program recognizes cattle producers across the nation, whose stewardship practices are progressive, cost-effective and contribute to environmental conservation. For more information on how you can become a winner or how to nominate a deserving operation, or for information on the ESAP program, contact Stacey Katseanes in NCBA’s Washington D.C. office at 202-347-0228 or at skatseanes@beef.org.

USDA E. COLI REPORT:  NCBA was pleased with the announcement by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service on Monday February 28, showing a 43.3 percent drop in the percentage of E. coli O157:H7 positive ground beef regulatory samples collected in 2004 compared with the previous year.  The FSIS reports “between 2000 and 2004, the percentage of positive samples in FSIS regulatory sampling has declined by more than 80 percent”! Beef safety is a top priority for the beef industry and NCBA will continue to work with the industry, government, and consumers to assure the safety of beef.  More information is on the FSIS website at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_022805_01/index.asp

NCBA CEO in DC: NCBA’s CEO Terry Stokes is in Washington DC this week for continued meetings with government officials regarding complex beef trade issues. NCBA is dedicated to the full-reopening of our beef export markets and continues to aggressively push membership priorities on Capitol Hill this week

KLAMATH ISSUES: The leaders of the Klamath Tribe were in Washington D.C. this week, meeting with NCBA and the Public Lands Council (PLC).  PLC is working with the group in an effort to develop legislation dealing with Klamath area issues.  In recent weeks, ranchers and industry representatives from the Klamath Water Users Association have been formulating plans in visits with Members of Congress and agency officials for legislation addressing endangered species, land and water use issues, and energy policy. 

INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK CONGRESS:  NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud and Animal ID Commission Chair and Nebraska cattleman Allen Bright traveled to Houston, TX for the International Livestock Congress (ILC) on March 2-3.  The ILC's focus is on major international issues that impact the beef and horse industries, including more sophisticated systems of animal identification.  Doud gave participants an overview of BSE and trade issues, and Bright participated on a panel about the National Animal Identification System.

NCBA SPRING CONFERENCE: Calling all cattle industry folks- mark your calendars and book your flights now! The 2005 Spring Conference in Washington D.C. will be held April 13-16, 2005. NCBA's D.C. staff is already busy with preparations and planning for this exciting event, which brings in hundreds of cattle producers to our capital city for face-to-face meetings with top Members of Congress and Administration officials. This year, Senate Ag Committee Chairman Saxby Chambliss (GA) and USDA Secretary Mike Johanns will be among the political elite that are expected to address NCBA members. Register soon… contact Erica Spiegle; espiegle@beef.org; 202-347-0228 or visit our website at http://hill.beef.org/spring.

USDA SURVEILLANCE FOR BSE: USDA continues its enhanced BSE surveillance program which began June 1.  To date, 252,501 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.

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