2006 CCC Archive
Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns
November 30, 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.
U.S. Cattlemen Angry at Korea’s Protectionist Actions: U.S. government officials and cattle industry leaders are outraged by Korea’s month-long inspection and ultimate rejection of a recent beef shipment – the first shipment sent by the United States to Korea since December 2003. The South Korean Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said this week that the 8.9 metric tons (MT) of U.S. beef will either be destroyed or sent back to the United States because it reportedly contained a bone fragment.
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns criticized South Korea for halting beef shipments from Kansas beef processor Creekstone Farms, saying the Koreans “invented” a standard for imports that was not agreed to by U.S. negotiators. USDA Deputy Undersecretary Chuck Lambert says the South Koreans “went to great lengths” to find the tiny (.4 inch, approximately the size of a peanut) piece of bone fragment in a shipment the Koreans held and inspected for nearly a month.
NCBA is equally outraged saying the Korean standards are political and protectionist in nature and have nothing to do with food safety requirements since bone is not – and has never been – a risk material. At present, 65 countries are accepting U.S. bone-in beef. In 2003, bone-in beef and variety meats accounted for half of U.S. beef exports to Korea.
NCBA also says the latest development will likely have a detrimental effect on negotiations of a U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. “We’ve said all along, one of our criteria for this FTA to go forward is ‘full normalization of beef trade,’ said NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud. “Korea has become an unreliable trading partner.”
A separate shipment of 3.6 MT of U.S. beef arrived in South Korea last week and is also awaiting inspection. U.S. packers are reluctant to ship to Korea because of the uncertainty of Korea’s standards. “Creekstone Farms did everything humanly possible to ensure this shipment would pass inspection,” says Doud. “After inspecting nine tons of beef for nearly a month, the Koreans finally found a reason to reject it. U.S. companies won’t be willing to take that chance anymore.”
USDA Rule to Expand Canadian Trade Expected Soon: The USDA has officially re-submitted a proposal to amend its BSE minimal risk region importation policy to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Currently, the United States only imports live cattle and beef from cattle less than 30 months of age from Canada. The rule, which will expand trade to include older animals, was proposed earlier this year and withdrawn until further analysis and investigations of Canadian feed systems was completed.
NCBA supports taking every measure necessary to protect our nation’s herd health and food supply. NCBA policy also supports a science-based approach to trade which means trading beef and cattle of all ages when necessary food safety and animal health standards are met. NCBA will review the proposal, comment accordingly and encourages other cattle industry leaders to do the same.
Further details on the proposal are posted on OMB’s website at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoViewRule?ruleID=262154.
Colombian Trade Agreement Signed: NCBA was in attendance on November 22 when Deputy U.S. Trade Representative John Veroneau and Colombian Minister of Trade, Industry, and Tourism Jorge Humberto Botero signed the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA). Upon implementation of this agreement, U.S. farm exports to Colombia, such as high quality beef, will receive immediate duty-free treatment.
“This extremely well negotiated agreements reduces – and eventually eliminates – all tariffs for our beef, giving U.S. producers the ability to compete aggressively against Argentinean and Brazilian beef in these markets,” says NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud. The agreement now must be approved by Congress. For more information, visit www.ustr.gov.
Russian Trade Agreement Signed: U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab and Russian Minister of Trade and Economic Development German Gref signed a bilateral market access agreement November 19 as part of Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The signing of this agreement gives U.S. beef access once again to the Russian market, pending a plant audit tour by Russian inspectors.
USDA is coordinating plans for the Russian audit team to visit plants in early 2007. Following approval, the Russian market will be open to U.S. boneless beef, bone-in beef and beef variety meats from cattle under 30 months of age with an approved export certificate.
Further expansion of trade – including trade of all U.S. beef and beef products from cattle of all ages – is expected to happen in May 2007 when the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) General Assembly is expected to reevaluate the United States’ risk status for BSE.
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. At present, Russia is 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. For more details on this agreement, go to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative online at: www.ustr.gov.
President Bush Signs Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act: A bill that will aid in the prosecution of animal rights extremists who target innocent people who work with animals was signed into law by President Bush on November 27. S. 3880, the "Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act," put forth by Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), will give needed protection to scientists, medical researchers, ranchers, farmers, and other businesspersons who work with animals. Senator Inhofe called the bill “an important step in the effort to combat animal rights extremists’ increasingly violent tactics…We can no longer tolerate criminally based activism regardless of the cause it allegedly advances.”
Congressional Schedule: Congress is out this week for continuation of the Thanksgiving break. They are scheduled to return to Washington on December 4. See “Senate Debates Key NCBA Issues as part of Ag Appropriations Discussions” below for more information on what might be on their agendas for December. The 110th Congress has announced they will convene on January 4, 2007, at noon.
Senate Debates Key NCBA Issues as Part of Ag Appropriations Discussions: When Congress reconvenes in December, appropriations will be top priority. Both houses of Congress have passed a continuing resolution to fund government programs through December 8th. In conjunction with the appropriations debate, the following issues of interest to cattlemen could be discussed:
- Senator Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) has said he wants to offer an amendment to clarify that livestock manure is not a Superfund material. NCBA is STRONGLY SUPPORTIVE of Congress clarifying that they never intended for manure to be regulated under Superfund, and urges cattlemen to SUPPORT the Domenici effort. (see “Defend Manure Now or Never” below.)
- Senator Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) wants to offer an amendment to provide disaster assistance to agriculture producers. NCBA supports Conrad’s efforts to include funding for the Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and to make assistance available for 2005 and 2006.
- Senator Grassley (R-Iowa) says he may offer an amendment to prohibit enforcement of dust regulations in EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards for coarse particulate matter. Cattlemen are encouraged to contact their Senators and voice their SUPPORT for a Grassley amendment prohibiting enforcement of agricultural dust regulations.
- NCBA members can to send a message to Congress on any of the above mentioned proposals by visiting http://capwiz.com/beefusa.
Defend Manure NOW or NEVER: When the 109th Congress returns for their last hurrah next week, cattle producers will be urging passage of legislation that would defend agriculture from underhanded abuse of Superfund Laws. Right now, fringe activists are claiming manure should be considered a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA/Superfund regulations).
“This is simply absurd, and it must be stopped by the 109th Congress,” says NCBA President and Missouri cattleman Mike John. “228 members of Congress have already agreed that Superfund is about toxic waste sites and chemical spills, certainly not livestock manure.”
Legislation defending cattlemen in both houses 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. Without Congressional clarification, every farm and ranch operation in the country that spreads manure potentially could be declared a Superfund site and subject to fines and/or clean-up costs.
This December, NCBA is urging cattle producers from across the nation to visit http://capwiz.com/beefusa to send a message to Congress urging the importance of this issue! A vote for this legislation is extremely important for the long-term viability of American agriculture, and time is running out.
This December, Gift Someone with an ESAP Nomination: The holidays are almost upon us, a time when we are supposed to be thinking of others. What better time to pull together a nomination for the 2007 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP)? Think of those deserving ranching families that give back to the environment day in and day out.
Give the gift of appreciation by nominating a U.S. cattle producer who deserves national recognition for a job well done. Seven regional winners and one national 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).
Remember: These nomination applications take some time to complete, and the final nomination forms are due on March 17, 2007. Any organization, group, or individual can submit a nomination on behalf of a U.S. cattle producer. Go to www.beefusa.org/esap or contact NCBA’s Washington, D.C. office to request the application at 202-347-0228.
Animal ID: USDA’s new National Animal Identification System (NAIS) User Guide and updated premises registration collateral is available online at: http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais. This User Guide is the most current plan for the NAIS and replaces all previously published program documents, including the 2005 Draft Strategic Plan and Draft Program Standards and the 2006 Implementation Strategies. For community outreach leaders, a DVD of "printer-ready" copies of the brochures or fact sheets is available from USDA's Office of Communications.
Nebraska Cattlemen Convention & Trade Show: NCBA’s Director of Legislative Affairs Stacey Katseanes is in Lincoln this week for the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Annual Convention, November 28 – December 1. Stacey is part of the convention’s strong line up of speakers providing updates on priority issues such as the many environmental issues – including water policy, EPA dust regulations, CAFO rules, ethanol production, etc. – that NCBA is addressing in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.nebraskacattlemen.org.
KLA Convention & Trade Show: NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud is in Wichita for the Kansas Livestock Association Annual Convention, November 30 - December 1. NCBA President Mike John is scheduled to give a presentation on “Status of the Industry” on Friday morning.
NCBA Officers Make State Meeting Appearances: In related news, NCBA President-Elect and North Carolina Cattleman John Queen is in Pierre at the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association 58th Annual Convention & Trade Show, November 29-30. Queen addressed attendees Thursday morning. (www.sdcattlemen.org)
From Pierre, John travels to Bloomington for the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association meeting, December 1-2, where he’ll be the featured lunch speaker on Saturday, December 2. (www.mnsca.org)
NCBA Vice President and Oklahoma Cattleman Paul Hitch is in Salt Lake City for the Utah Cattlemen’s Association Winter Convention, November 29-December 1. Hitch will speak at Friday morning’s General Session. (www.utahcattlemen.org).
Codex Meetings: NCBA Director of Food Policy Leah Wilkinson is in Japan for meetings of the Codex Alimentarius Task Force on Biotechnology's Working Group on Animals. The group is conducting a food safety assessment of r-DNA animals. The task force decided in September 2005 to take up a recombinant DNA (r-DNA) Animal Project; a working group was established with 18 member countries (including the United States) and 7 non-governmental organizations. The group is chaired by Australia and co-chaired by Japan. Visit www.codexalimentarius.net for more information.
Plan NOW for 2007 Cattle Industry Convention: Preparations are 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 will 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.
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.