2006 CCC Archive
Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns
November 16, 2006
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.
Congress Reconvenes This Week for Lame Duck Session: Congress returned to Washington November 13 for a busy week of work before recessing for Thanksgiving. Among their priorities is working to complete Fiscal Year 2007 spending bills. President Bush has said he wants Congress to pass appropriations rather than a long-term Continuing Resolution (CR). The current CR expires November 17th, and both the House and Senate passed an additional CR to fund the government through December 8th. Also top of mind on Capitol Hill, are final decisions over leadership positions for the upcoming congressional session (see “Congressional Leadership Elections” below).
Ag Appropriations/Disaster Assistance: At press time, agriculture appropriations is still on the Senate calendar for consideration today and tomorrow. Senator Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) has said he wants to offer a $4.5 billion disaster assistance amendment during consideration of the Ag approps measures. The Agriculture spending bill already includes $4 billion aimed at providing disaster relief, but Senator Conrad’s amendment would refine that provision by eliminating some items and making assistance available for both 2005 and 2006. Throughout the year NCBA has sought relief for producers dealt a blow by weather-related losses, and Senator Conrad’s amendment remains consistent with previous proposals by including funding for the Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).
Cattlemen Rally for Superfund Fix: The Superfund legislation being supported by NCBA and 228 members of Congress (H.R. 4341 and S. 3681) will expire at the end of the 109th Congressional session if no action is taken before they adjourn. To make the most of the time we have left in the 109th Congress, now is the time for cattlemen to step-up communications on this issue. “It’s crucial that your Senators and Representatives understand this issue and how it could affect our nation’s family farms and ranches,” says Jay Truitt, NCBA’s vice president of government affairs. “The clock is ticking, and we want to get this done before we’re out of time.”
These bills are aimed at clarifying that manure is not a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA/Superfund regulations). Without Congressional clarification, every farm and ranch operation in the country that spreads manure potentially could be declared a Superfund site and subject to penalties and enormous clean-up costs.
In the Senate, S. 3681 currently has 35 co-sponsors. In the House, H.R. 4341 currently has 191 co-sponsors with Reps. Jim McCrery (R-La.) and William Jefferson (D-La.) signed on this week! Visit http://capwiz.com/beefusa to see a full list of co-sponsors. If your Senator or Representative has not yet signed on as a supporter, send a message to them asking them to sign on and communicate to them about the importance of this issue!
Congressional Leadership Elections: Democrats unanimously selected Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to be the Speaker of the House when the new Congress convenes on January 4th. Fellow Democrats chose Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) to be House majority leader - the second-ranking position for Democrats - over Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) by a vote of 149-86. Voting for Minority leadership in the House will take place on Friday.
In the Senate, Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will be Majority Leader and Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) will be Majority Whip. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ken.) will be incoming Minority Leader and Senator Trent Lott (R-Miss.) was elected to the post of Minority Whip.
Russian Trade: The United States and Russia are expected to sign a bilateral trade deal on market access issues related to Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) this week at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Hanoi, Vietnam. Reports say a deal regarding beef access has been made and will be finalized this Saturday, November 18.
NCBA is awaiting official announcement and confirmation of the U.S. beef export details. "We want to see the Russian market fully opened to U.S. beef exports as soon as possible, and have been urging for this re-opening for years," says NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud. “It has frankly been way too long. We are going on almost three years now." A resumption of U.S. beef exports to Russia would mean that the only previous major U.S. beef export market that remains closed and unwilling to engage is China, the continuing saga with South Korea notwithstanding.
In 2003, Russia was the fifth largest market for U.S. beef and beef product exports in terms of quantity, and the seventh largest in terms of value at $53 million. Historically, Russia was the #1 destination for U.S. beef liver exports. Russia has been negotiating with the United States and other WTO members the terms of its accession to the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT), and then to the WTO, since 1994. To complete its accession bid, Russia must finalize all its bilateral market access agreements and then complete multilateral negotiations. This process finally neared completion in September 2003 when the U.S. and Russia came to terms regarding beef, pork and poultry trade; however, outstanding issues remained. Again, the signing ceremony this weekend in Hanoi would signify that after 12 years of negotiations, Russia's new market access commitment regarding all beef imports has been finalized. This is a monumental development for world beef trade considering that Russia is now the second largest beef importing nation in the world, behind the United States and ahead of Japan, and is forecast to import over 900,000 metric tons in 2007. A declining cattle sector in Russia has driven prices to more-than double the December 2003 levels when the United States last exported beef there.
Vietnam Trade: In debate this week, the U.S. House of Representatives decided to put off their vote to approve permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Vietnam. The legislation, a prerequisite for the U.S. to benefit from Vietnam's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), failed to obtain the required two-thirds majority in the House November 13. Lawmakers are saying the measure is likely to come up again in December.
Vietnam and the United States signed a WTO accession deal May 31, but Congress must pass PNTR for the U.S. to fully benefit from Vietnam’s accession. For cattlemen, the U.S. has negotiated a lucrative bilateral market access package with Vietnam. Under the terms of the agreement, approximately three-fourths of U.S. agricultural exports – including beef – to Vietnam will have duties reduced to 15 percent or less, while Vietnam will gain no greater access to the U.S. market. Vietnam was roughly a $9.8 million market for U.S. beef and beef variety meats in 2005 after reopening its market in November 2004.
Farm Bill Nutrition Forum: Farm Foundation hosted its monthly Farm Bill forum in Washington, D.C. this week, on November 14. NCBA’s Director of Food Policy Leah Wilkinson and Manager of Legislative Affairs Jason Jordan attended and the forum focused on Farm Bill Nutrition programs. Speakers included Ellen Vollinger, Food Research and Action Center; Marshall Matz, School Nutrition Association; and Rick Leach, Friends of the World Food Program.
Farm Foundation brings together producers, industry, interest groups, government and academics to address economic and public policy issues facing agriculture, the food system and the people of rural America. For more information, visit www.farmfoundation.org.
Farm Broadcasters Annual Meeting: NCBA President Mike John and NCBA Director of Trade Media Joe Schuele are in Kansas City this week for the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB) Annual Meeting. Mike and Joe gave a number of face-to-face interviews with broadcasters during the Trade Talk Forum on November 16. Topics of discussion included Farm Bill development, environmental issues, animal ID, international trade, beef demand, and beef checkoff task force recommendations.
Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting: Jeff Eisenberg, NCBA’s director of federal lands and executive director for the Public Lands Council, is in Elko, Nevada for the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Joint Annual Convention, November 15-17. For more information, visit www.nevadacattlemen.org.
Nominate a Deserving Cattle Operation for ESAP’s 2007 Award: The 17th Annual Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) has officially opened its nomination season for 2007. Seven regional winners and one national award winner are honored each year for their commitment to protecting the environment and improving fish and wildlife habitats while operating profitable cattle operations. ESAP was established in 1991 by NCBA and is made possible by the generous support of Dow AgroSciences, LLC and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Nominations can be submitted by any organization, group, or individual on behalf of a U.S. cattle producer, and applications are due March 17, 2007. Go to www.beefusa.org/esap or contact NCBA’s Washington D.C. office to request a copy of the application at 202-347-0228.
USDA Foreign Ag Service Reorganization: USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) began officially implementing its reorganization plan on November 13. FAS has the primary responsibility for USDA’s international activities.
To address changes in the ag sector since FAS’s inception in 1953, the agency conducted a “top-to-bottom review of what FAS does, how effectively it functions, and what can be done better.” Some of the concerns identified included: effectively supporting the agriculture sector during trade agreement negotiations; developing strategies in response to the emergence of "giants" like China and Brazil; and managing the trade impact of international food safety scares like Avian Influenza and BSE. The review process included input from employees, private sector trade groups, and program participants.
FAS' staff of more than 700 employees is stationed in Washington, D.C. and in about 80 countries around the world. The agency works to expand and maintain exports for U.S. agricultural, fish, and forest products; supports international economic development and trade capacity building; and improve the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) system to facilitate trade. For more information, visit: http://www.fas.usda.gov/fasreorg.asp.
Plan NOW for 2007 Cattle Industry Convention: Preparations are already underway for the 2007 Cattle Industry Annual Convention & Trade Show, January 31-February 3 in Nashville, Tennessee. This annual event brings together thousands of cattle producers from all across the nation. NCBA members will have discussions regarding key policy issues at a variety of committee meetings and issue forums, and participate in events supporting NCBA’s Political Action Committee (NCBA-PAC) and honoring the winners of our Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). NCBA staff and leadership look forward to seeing y'all in Nashville! Make your travel plans TODAY. Go to www.beefusa.org for registration information and more details!
NCBA-PAC Preparing for Convention Events: NCBA has planned a wide array of events at our upcoming Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in Nashville. Show your support for NCBA-PAC/PEF, help us support political candidates that support cattlemen, and have fun in Nashville all at the same time!
- NCBA-PAC/PEF Silent Auction
Wednesday, January 31 – Saturday, February 3
Trade Show Booth #2330
Support your PAC while bidding on a wide variety of unique items from all over the country. Past items have included tropical vacations, wild game hunts, handmade leather goods, and framed western prints. Whether you are looking for special gifts for friends and family or that perfect piece for your home, you are sure to find it at the NCBA-PAC/PEF Silent Auction. If you have an item that you would like to donate to the Silent Auction please contact Erin Vincent at 202-347-0228 or evincent@beef.org.
- Second Annual All Breed Bull Auction &
Cattlemen’s Auctioneer Championship Contest
Wednesday, January 31, 7:30-8:30pm
Trade Show Welcome Reception Booth #1270
Held in conjunction with the Trade Show Welcome Reception, the NCBA-PAC/PEF all-breed bull auction will feature bulls, semen and sale credits from some of the nation’s best breeders. Attendees will be provided with Pedigree, Ultra Sound data and E.P.D. Information (where applicable), for all lots. Proceeds from the auction will benefit NCBA-PAC/PEF. If you have any questions or would like to make a donation to the NCBA-PAC/PEF Bull Auction, please contact Erin Vincent at 202-347-0228 or evincent@beef.org.
This year’s auction will also play host to the 1st Annual Cattlemen’s Auctioneer Championship Contest featuring some of the nation’s best auctioneering talent vying for the title of Champion Auctioneer! To nominate your favorite auctioneer please contact Clay Edwards at 303-850-3380 or cedwards@beef.org.
- PAC/PEF Night at the Wildhorse Saloon with Tracy Byrd
Friday, February 2; 7:00pm-11:00pm
The Wildhorse Saloon – Downtown Nashville (transportation provided)
Sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health
Ticket Price: $75 per adult / $35 per child under the age of 12
Join us in the heart of Music City, just blocks from famous Music Row. The Wildhorse Saloon, Nashville’s #1 destination for dining and entertainment features a famous dance floor often seen live on Country Music Television, and award winning cuisine. Buses will provide transportation to and from all Convention hotels to downtown Nashville where we have reserved the entire club for the evening! Don’t forget to come hungry; the Wildhorse Saloon will serve a barbeque brisket buffet dinner with their award winning barbeque sauce that is guaranteed to make your taste buds break into a two step! After dinner, hit the dance floor with one of country music’s best loved artists, Tracy Byrd.
For more information on NCBA’s upcoming PAC events, contact Erin Vincent in NCBA’s Washington office at 202-347-0228 or evincent@beef.org.
Happy Thanksgiving!: Cattlemen’s Capitol Concerns will not publish next week because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Look for our next edition on November 30!
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.