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.

Cattlemen Evaluate Election Day Fallout:  With all but a few mid-term election races firmly decided, the Democrats have taken control of the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time in twelve years.  At press time, a concession by Rep. George Allen of Virginia also gives the Democrats control of the Senate 49-49 with 2 independents who say they will caucus with the Democrats.  On November 8, NCBA leadership and staff began their look ahead at how the election fallout will affect the legislative strategies of NCBA members.  Today, NCBA's Washington, D.C. office brought together industry stakeholders and fellow ag organizations to discuss varying perspectives on what the new Congress will mean for agriculture.

While official announcements are still pending, it looks like Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal) will be the next Speaker of the House.  Chair of the House Agriculture Committee is likely to go to Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) with Nick Rahall (D-W.V) likely becoming Chairman of the Resources Committee, and John Dingell (D-Mich.) likely to be Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.  If the Democrats win power in the Senate, it is expected that Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) will return as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, but Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga) will still have a good deal of power, especially as we look to the 2007 Farm Bill. 

Some of these future leaders have been NCBA allies in the past, and we will count on their support again in the 100th Congressional session.  But with Democrats gaining increasing control in Congress, ag issues will likely take a back seat to more urban-focused issues.  In addition, many Democrats who won seats this week are strongly supported by anti-agriculture activist groups and environmentalists, and these groups will use that leverage to push their agendas.

Among ag-oriented issues, cattlemen are likely to see mandatory country-of-origin labeling and mandatory animal identification on some agendas, and 2007 Farm Bill discussions will probably include consideration of bans on packer ownership and forward contracting.  Priority issues such as full and permanent repeal of the Death Tax and exempting manure from EPA’s Superfund laws are unlikely to move in a Democratic-controlled Congress.  These are issues that Democrats have actively opposed, and they will use their control to keep them from coming up.  See “Superfund to Take Spotlight Next Week” below to see how cattlemen can work together on some of these priorities before the end of the 109th Congressional session!

Superfund to Take Spotlight Next Week!:  Congress is expected to reconvene next week, November 13, following its recess for the elections.  The Superfund legislation being supported by NCBA and 226 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 be devastating to our nation’s family farms and ranches,” says Jay Truitt, NCBA’s vice president of government affairs.  “I know we’ve been saying this all along, but now is the time to tell Congress that manure shouldn’t be subject to Superfund regulations.  The clock is ticking, and we want to get this done before we’re out of time.”

The legislation is 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 could potentially be declared a Superfund site and subject to penalties and enormous clean-up costs. 

In the Senate, S. 3681 currently has 36 co-sponsors.  In the House, H.R. 4341 currently has 190 co-sponsors.  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!

Wyoming Rancher Swaps Jobs with FWS Official:  Wyoming cattle producer and NCBA member Jack Turnell was in Washington, D.C. this week as part of the “Walk a Mile in My Boots” (WAMB) program.  Turnell swapped jobs with Jay Slack, deputy regional director for the Mountain-Prairie Region (Region 6) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 

Slack spent several days working with Turnell on his cattle ranch in Wyoming. “Actually leaving the office and working on the ranch was an exceptional experience,” says Slack. “While I was visiting wildfires were racing through the Pitchfork Ranch property and we had to work fast to move cattle to safety.  This was the chance of a lifetime to see first-hand the challenges that cattle producers face on a daily basis.” 

The exchange culminated in Washington, D.C. with a four day educational program, visits to various offices of the Department of the Interior and a day at the FWS National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.  “Volunteering for the Walk a Mile in My Boots program is about getting folks to talk about what we do on the ranch and why we do it,” says Turnell. “After swapping jobs with Jay, we both learned that we can come to a mutual understanding about things since we are working toward a common goal: preserving our environment for future generations.”

The award-winning WAMB program was originally launched by NCBA and FWS in the summer of 2003 and for more than three years has given government employees and cattle producers the opportunity to swap on-the-ground work experiences. The program now includes partnerships with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD).

Any cattle producer, NACD member, FWS employee, or NRCS employee can apply for the exchange program. The length of an actual exchange runs anywhere from two to ten days. During the exchange, cattle ranchers can visit local or national government offices, work on refuges or in labs, or travel to national headquarters in Washington, D.C.  Government employees have the opportunity to visit cattle operations and get hands-on experience working the ranch. For more information on how to sign up for the program, go to: www.walkamileinmyboots.org or www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers/walkamile.html.

EPA Sides with NCBA on Important Clean Air Act Issue:  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent NCBA a letter last week in response to our initial correspondence on December 10, 2003.  NCBA submitted a White Paper and Addendum to then-EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt which outlined our legal analysis and assessment that Clean Air Act Title V permitting requirements and CERCLA/EPCRA emergency release reporting requirements do not apply to open-air cattle operations. We requested that EPA issue its opinion on our assessment. We also invited EPA staff to tour typical feedlots in Kansas, Texas and Idaho so that informed decisions could be made about these issues.

Under the Clean Air Act, operations are required to apply for a major source Title V permit if they have “non-fugitive” emissions (i.e. emissions that can be trapped in a stack in a barn situation) of 100 tons per year. On the other hand, operations that have “fugitive” emissions (i.e. emissions that cannot be captured in a stack, but are released into the environment) are not required to apply for a permit, unless non-fugitive emissions of the operation meet the 100 ton per year threshold. Because cattle operations are fugitive emission sources, and non-fugitive sources do not exceed the threshold for major sources, cattle operations should not be required to apply for a permit. 

In the letter dated November 2, 2006, EPA concurred with our analysis: “Based on on-site visits and the observations of its personnel, EPA generally presumes that air emissions from cattle loading and unloading, cattle feed lots, retention basins, roadways, and feed loading operations are fugitive emissions that do not count when determining major source status for construction and operating permitting.”  This is a big victory for cattlemen since the Title V program is modeled after the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program under the Clean Water Act, a costly, endless bureaucratic paper chase that carries large penalties for non compliance.  NCBA is still awaiting EPA’s decision regarding the applicability of emergency release reporting requirements under CERCLA and EPCRA.

USDA Approves Visual Instrument Grading Systems:  USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced late last week that it has formally approved the use of image-based instrument grading for scoring marbling in beef carcasses.  Specifically, AMS has approved the VBS2000 (E+V Technology, Oranienburg, Germany) and the Computer Vision System (RMS Research Management Systems, Fort Collins, Colorado).  The complete text of the notice is posted at http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/stand/LSStandNoticetoTrade.pdf.

For NCBA members, this announcement is an important step toward ensuring that that our industry can achieve an improved objective, a consistent system for evaluating beef quality characteristics.  NCBA staff, affiliates and producer leadership have put in a great deal of effort to gain approval of this technology, and this announcement is a welcome victory for all cattle producers.

NCBA on Animal ID: NCBA President and Missouri cattleman Mike John is distributing an editorial this week regarding animal identification.  To reprint or review in full, go to the www.beefusa.org news section. John says “NCBA members want a system that operates at minimal cost and protects producer confidentiality.”

In related news, USDA announced this week that they have launched a newly designed National Animal Identification System website located at www.usda.gov/nais. The USDA is encouraging premises registration for all species groups. With the new site, animal owners can voluntarily participate by registering their premises with their state, tribe, or territorial animal health authority online.

NCBA knows that a national database of premises information alone is of critical importance to protecting American agriculture. Premises registration is the first step producers can take to reduce hardships caused by an animal disease outbreak and protect their livelihood. This is non-private information including name, address, etc. The USDA’s short-term goal is for at least 25 percent of premises (at least 350,000) to be registered nationwide by early 2007. Go to www.usda.gov/nais to register your premises.

Peru Trade:  Since Peru and Colombia reopened their markets to U.S. beef last week, attention is now focused on the trade agreements with these two countries.  NCBA sent a letter to U.S. Trade Ambassador Susan Schwab last week commending her on the negotiations with Peruvian officials.  “We support international trade policies that aggressively pursue expanded market access for U.S. beef,” NCBA said in the letter. “Provisions contained within the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA) are precisely the type of market access provisions that allow U.S. beef to compete on a level playing field.”

NCBA trade staff, as part of the Agriculture Trade Coalition met November 7 with Ambassador Jorge Valdez and Trade Affairs Counselor Italo Acha from the Embassy of Peru.  The group reinforced the ag community's support for the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement and discussed likely timeframes for implementation. 

In related news, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and U.S.-Peru Trade Coalition are coordinating a rally next week to promote the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement on Capitol Hill.  The rally is intended to send a strong message to Congress “that continued engagement in the trade area is vital to U.S. competitiveness and economic growth.”

U.S. Meat Export Statistics Through September Remain Positive:  The U.S. Meat Export Federation said November 9 that export statistics through September show continued increases in volume and value for U.S. beef.  Partially due to market re-openings, U.S. beef and beef variety meat exports show a more dramatic increase as volume rose 41 percent to 469,170 metric tons and value rose 55 percent to $1.46 billion.  For U.S. beef and beef variety meat exports, the reopening of the Japan market and gradual recovery of the Taiwan market coupled with strong demand in Mexico and the Middle East are pushing exports up. For more information, visit www.usmef.org.

Nominate a Deserving Cattle Operation for our 2007 ESAP 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. 

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 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.