Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns: November 18, 2004

Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns

November 18, 2004

The 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).

BSE Inconclusive Announced:  This morning, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an inconclusive test result as part of its aggressive surveillance program to test cattle for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). The USDA confirmed that this animal did not enter the human food or animal feed supply. The USDA explained that this inconclusive test result does not mean the U.S. has another case of BSE. Initial screening tests are designed to be extremely sensitive, and this test result is simply one step in the process.  USDA will carefully analyze these samples, and we can’t assume, at this point, that this inconclusive represents a positive case.  In undertaking this enhanced surveillance program, inconclusive results are not unexpected.  The second step is now underway with the sample going to USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. Confirmatory results are expected back within 4-7 days.

In June 2004, the USDA implemented their enhanced BSE testing program to provide further assurance that the risk for BSE in the U.S. is extremely low.  To date, 113,264 tests have been conducted with no positive cases reported.  This marks the 3^rd inconclusive test result received since June 1.  The previous two inconclusive tests were confirmed negative following further testing. 

All U.S. Beef is Safe:  It is important to reiterate that 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.  In 2003, USDA strengthened its food safety program by prohibiting from the food supply any material that could carry the BSE agent (specified risk materials or SRMs).  USDA also banned from the food supply any cattle that appear to be high-risk.  In 1997, the FDA banned feeding cattle the type of animal-derived protein that can spread BSE.  International experts agree that a feed ban breaks the cycle of BSE and assures it will be eliminated. The FDA reports a remarkable 99.9 percent compliance rate for the feed ban. As America’s beef producers, our livelihood depends on providing the safest beef in the world. The beef we produce is served in homes around the world, including our own. Providing safe and wholesome beef remains our number one priority.

Resources for Consumers:  For more information regarding BSE, go to…
Beef Industry Scientific Panel Information Resource: www.BSEinfo.org
Centers for Disease Control Q&A: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cjd/bse_cjd_qa.htm
Food and Drug Administration Q&A: www.fda.gov/cber/bse/bseqa.htm#a1
USDA Q&A: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/bse/bse_q&a.html

Veneman Resignation: USDA Secretary Ann Veneman announced Nov. 15 that she intends to resign her cabinet post as soon as a replacement can be confirmed. Following completion of an initial 4-year term, it is extremely common for cabinet secretaries to step-down. In a statement earlier this week, NCBA President and Kansas Cattle producer Jan Lyons saluted the service of Secretary Veneman and her commitment to helping food and agriculture producers across the country and cited the historic challenges she faced during her tenure such as efforts on issues related to BSE.  In addition, Lyons praised the Secretary’s work on international trade and efforts to reopen many of our key export markets.  "She has also worked to make our food supply safer by fostering increased research efforts on the reduction of food-borne pathogens, and she has worked to keep our livestock healthier and disease-free," Lyons says.  "The Secretary has an unwavering commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship, and she continues to find ways to help farmers and ranchers hurt by drought, hurricanes and other natural disasters."  NCBA members look forward to working with the Secretary for the remainder of her tenure, and wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Congressional Schedule:  Congress returned to town this week for a brief ‘lame duck’ session to elect new committee leaders and work on an Omnibus Appropriations bill.  Included in the Omnibus will be funding for agriculture appropriations, which NCBA is monitoring closely. Congress is expected to recess at the end of the week or early next week for Thanksgiving, and then will remain on recess until Jan. 4, 2005.

Mandatory Price Reporting:  Legislation reauthorizing Mandatory Price Reporting passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 17. The bill passed in the Senate last month. The original legislation mandated by Congress in 1999 included a sunset provision, and this action extends that sunset provision for one year. Mandatory Price Reporting is a valuable component in achieving transparency in the marketplace by providing price and volume information to producers. For years, NCBA policy has stressed the importance of Mandatory Price Reporting, and we continue to gather feedback from all NCBA members to ensure the law works and provides producers with the information they need. Despite its recent sunset, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has continued to collect information and implement Mandatory Price Reporting. The bill now heads to the President’s desk where he is expected to sign the bill into law. 

Trade with the Middle East:  The Bush Administration intends to launch negotiations for free trade agreements with Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the beginning of 2005, according to a Nov. 15 announcement by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick. Consistent with the requirements of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), Ambassador Zoellick sent letters of intent to Congress. TPA also requires a 90-day consultation period with Congress before the Administration is able to launch negotiations.  Oman and the UAE FTAs will further advance President Bush’s goal of creating a Middle East free trade area by 2013, with a network of FTAs:  U.S. – Israel FTA (1985), U.S. – Jordan FTA (2001), U.S. – Morocco FTA (signed 2004), U.S. – Bahrain FTA (signed 2004).  While these are not large markets for the beef industry, the U.S. does have a trading relationship with these countries.  In 2003 the U.S. exports of fresh/chilled/frozen/prepared/preserved beef and semen to Oman totaled $154,000.  Fresh/chilled/frozen/prepared/preserved beef, semen and variety meats to the UAE totaled $8.972 million.  Copies of the USTR’s letters of intent are posted at www.ustr.gov.   

Taiwanese Visitors:  According to the USDA, the Taiwanese have completed an internal review process and are close to resuming trade with the U.S. A technical team from Taiwan arrived in the U.S. this week for a one-week visit, where they toured testing labs, feedlots, and production facilities, and will report results back home before a final decision is made on the re-opening of the border. The team is spending time in Washington D.C. visiting with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Food Safety Inspection Service officials regarding the enhanced surveillance program. NCBA believes this should be the final step in resuming trade with Taiwan.

Animal ID:  USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will host a public meeting on Nov. 19 in Kansas City for National Animal Identification System (NAIS) stakeholders, particularly those that manufacture or distribute animal identification devices and technologies.  The meeting will provide an opportunity for these stakeholders to offer comments on the administration of animal ID numbers, and will focus on anticipated roles and requirements for individuals, organizations and companies that would like to become authorized animal identification number managers or distributors. The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nov. 19, at the Kansas City Airport Marriott, 775 Brasilia Ave., Kansas City, Mo. Call (301) 734-5571 for more information. 

Idaho Cattlemen:  The Idaho Cattlemen’s Association annual convention and trade show is this week, Nov. 16-18, in Sun Valley.  NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud is in attendance, and spoke during an International Trade Panel and roundtable discussion on "Searching for Success in the Global Marketplace" on Nov. 16.  The following afternoon, Doud addressed attendees with a marketing issues update.  NCBA Director of Federal Lands and Public Lands Council Executive Director Jeff Eisenberg is also in Sun Valley.  On Nov. 17^th, Eisenberg presented an update on "the Federal Perspective of Public Lands," and discussed permitting and monitoring processes and endangered species issues.  Eisenberg also participated in the public lands, private lands and environmental committee discussions.

Colorado Cattlemen: NCBA Associate Director of Environmental Issue Stacey Katseanes is attending the 54^th annual Mid Winter conference hosted by the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association.  Stacey attended the Monitoring Workshop on Nov. 17, and gave a Washington Update at their Federal Lands Committee meeting. 

NAFB Meeting:  NCBA member and California cattlemen Mike Byrne, along with a few members of NCBA’s Denver staff are in Kansas City this week for the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Convention. The team is meeting with newsmakers from across the nation, doing countless one-on-one interviews on BSE and other issues, and celebrating 60 years of farm broadcasting.

Media Contact:

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

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