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.

Ag Groups Urge PNTR Status for Vietnam:  NCBA joined 14 other ag industry groups in a letter to Members of Congress urging swift action on permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status for Vietnam.  The letter asks Congress to pass PNTR status for Vietnam as soon as it reconvenes in November. 

Vietnam and the United States signed a World Trade Organization (WTO) accession deal May 31, and Vietnam’s accession to the WTO is imminent.  But Congress must pass PNTR for the U.S. to fully benefit from Vietnam’s accession. The U.S. Trade Representative pushed for this issue to be brought up before Congress recessed, but no action has been taken to date.

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 $9.5 million market for U.S. beef and beef variety meats in 2005 after reopening its market in November 2004.

The letter says, “We urge Congress to act now and pass PNTR for Vietnam so that U.S. food and agriculture is on an equal footing with global suppliers from other WTO member countries.” 

Despite Recess, Superfund Bills Still Top of Mind:  NCBA continues to urge support for a pair of bills in Congress which will clarify that manure should not be regulated under Superfund laws.  Cattlemen are encouraged to continue stressing the importance of this legislation with U.S. Senators and Representatives back home or by contacting their offices during recess.  In the Senate, S. 3681 currently has 35 co-sponsors.  In the House, H.R. 4341 currently has 189 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 the importance of this issue! 

NCBA Seeking Affiliate Input on FDA Hay Regulation:  As the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) begins implementing regulations governing hay transport and sale as part of the Bioterrorism Act of 2002, NCBA is seeking input from affiliates to ensure the rules are implemented correctly. 

In a guidance document released by FDA on September 26, FDA says it will NOT require record keeping of eligible "farms" that either harvest/process hay for feeding on their own operation or for those farms who sell hay to another eligible farm. Furthermore, hay that is transported by vehicles licensed to eligible farms will not require record keeping either.

The guidance document is now open for public comment.  As FDA has already finalized its rule, the comment period on this guidance document is open-ended.  The full document is available at:  http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/recguid4.html.  NCBA encourages affiliates and stakeholders to review the FDA guidance document and contact Jenni Beck at jbeck@beef.org if you feel your state is not implementing this rule correctly.  NCBA will submit comments based on affiliate feedback. 

Industry, Government Examine FMD Preparedness: Nearly one hundred leaders in the agriculture industry gathered from across the nation this week to participate in a national Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Summit, October 10-11. While the last FMD outbreak in the United States was in 1929, industry and government leaders are working together to continue to keep the U.S. animal population free from FMD and improve upon protection, prevention, detection, vaccines, and tracking measures. The summit was hosted by the Animal Health Network and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

Dr. John Clifford, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) deputy administrator of veterinary services, updated participants on the current state of USDA’s FMD Plan. Veterinary and research scholars presented the latest findings regarding FMD control, eradication, and U.S. outbreak scenario implications. Commodity groups including dairy, pork, and beef gave updates on specific industry plans and future outlook.

In the event of a FMD situation, industry and government would work together to manage and contain the outbreak. Because of its contagious nature, with nearly 100 percent of exposed animals ultimately becoming infected, FMD could result in sizeable economic consequences felt by many sectors of the U.S. economy, not just cattle production. The degree of economic impact would depend on how quickly the disease is identified and effective control measures put in place.

To further develop coordination between government and industry, groups of summit participants outlined specific challenges and priorities regarding the role of science in prevention, detection, stopping disease progression and crisis communications. Participants left the FMD summit with an action plan for next steps for 2006-2007.

Producers must continue to protect herds and prevent FMD by: (1) knowing who is on our property at all times; (2) immediately reporting any unusual or suspicious signs of disease; (3) ensuring people wash their clothes and footwear before traveling; and (4) watching for signs of FMD in all livestock herds. The USDA APHIS continues to conduct surveillance for FMD and other foreign animal diseases every day.  For more information, go to: www.fmdinfo.org.

Advancing Renewable Energy Conference:  NCBA’s Director of Environmental Issues Tamara Thies is in St. Louis this week for the USDA-Department of Energy (DOE) “Advancing Renewable Energy” Conference, October 10-12.  The conference is being hosted by USDA and DOE to help further President Bush’s Advanced Energy Initiative – an aggressive plan to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and ensure a secure U.S. fuel supply. 

USDA and DOE say they hope to help build the necessary partnerships and strategies for hastening the commercialization of domestic, commercially-viable, renewable energy industries and distribution systems.  Guest speakers included:  Ag Secretary Mike Johanns, Energy Secretary Sam Bodman, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson, among other officials, industry representatives and energy experts.  More information is posted at: www.advancingrenewableenergy.com.

FSIS Meeting on Risk-based Inspection System:  NCBA’s Director of Food Policy Leah Wilkinson attended a public meeting held by USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) on October 10-11 where FSIS officials and meeting participants reviewed and discussed issues relating to a risk-based inspection system (RBIS).

The meeting included discussions of 1) measuring establishment risk control for risk-based inspection; and 2) measuring product inherent risk for risk-based inspection. Technical papers on these two topics and other meeting information is posted on FSIS’s RBIS web site at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Risk_Based_Inspection/index.asp.

To meet the realities of food safety and public health challenges, FSIS is shifting to a more robust RBIS that continues to rely on science-based policies. In July 2004, the agency outlined the basic features of a predictive model that would permit FSIS to improve resource allocation by considering the inherent risks and risk control effectiveness of the many meat and poultry establishments under federal inspection. In November 2005, FSIS addressed the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) on progress toward achieving a more robust RBIS. In May 2006, the agency again addressed NACMPI – this time on ideas the agency has on measuring establishment risk control effectiveness. In October, FSIS will present some ideas about how the agency can develop measures of inherent food safety risk for federally-inspected meat and poultry processing establishments and solicit stakeholder input on the subject. FSIS will also accept stakeholder input on how to measure establishment control of risk. Finally, FSIS will accept input on how the two measures of risk might be used to implement RBIS.

Comments on Cooperative Conservation Due October 13:  The final listening session on cooperative conservation and environmental partnerships took place this week in Boise, Idaho on October 9 and was co-hosted by Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne.  These sessions were held by the Secretaries of Interior, Commerce and Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.  Discussions focused on how the government can better work with local communities and landowners to protect the environment and promote conservation.  In a joint statement, the agencies said they want to better respect the interests of people with ownership in land, water, and other natural resources.

For producers who were unable to attend any of the sessions, the Department of the Interior is still taking comments on Cooperative Conservation and environmental partnerships.  Written comments may be submitted by October 13, 2006 to:

Cooperative Conservation Assistant
Department of the Interior
Mail Stop 5258
1849 C St. NW
Washington, DC 20240

For more information on submitting comments, or to read transcripts from past sessions, visit: http://cooperativeconservation.gov/sessions.

NCBA at Five Nations Conference: Missouri cattle producer and NCBA President Mike John, NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doug and CEO Terry Stokes are in Australia for the Five Nations Beef Conference, which runs October 12-20. The Five Nations Beef Conference is a meeting of the national producer associations of Australia (Cattle Council of Australia); Canada (Canadian Cattlemen’s Association); Mexico (Confederacion Nacional Ganadera); New Zealand (Meat & Wool New Zealand); and the United States (National Cattlemen’s Beef Association). The conference was established in 1983 and meets every 18 months on a rotating host-country basis.

This year's meeting in Australia will begin with a briefing from Meat and Livestock Australia and feature tours of Australian cattle operations and government buildings. Then cattle industry leaders from the five nations will have an extensive conference regarding their participation in the World Trade Organization, priorities for trade reform, how to garner meaningful market access, work toward expansion of quotas and reduction in tariffs and eliminate trade barriers worldwide. The members of the five nations have agreed in their commitment to “meet or exceed global consumers’ expectations in respect of beef, while eliminating non-scientific and political trade restrictions for the benefit of all beef producers.” NCBA will provide a follow-up report after the meeting is adjourned.

Election Countdown:  The 2006 mid-term Congressional elections are less than a month away, and if you’re undecided about candidates in your state, the time is NOW to research their background and voting record. The polls are continuing to show a possible rebalance in both houses of Congress. U.S. cattle producers should be urging friends, family and neighbors to get out and vote for the candidates that understand agriculture, support our livelihood, and will stand up for cattle producers in Washington, D.C.

This year, we’ve made it especially easy for you to find out about the candidates in your state online. Just go to http://capwiz.com/beefusa and click on the “Election” section! If you have any questions about which candidates are best for the cattle industry, do not hesitate to contact NCBA’s Washington office at 202-347-0228. 

Congressional Schedule:  Congress has recessed to work on the campaign trail prior to the November 7 mid-term elections.  Congress is expected to reconvene November 13.

Annual CCC Event Upcoming:  NCBA is coordinating and co-hosting the 20th annual "Corn, Cotton, and Cattle" (CCC) Party scheduled for Sunday, October 29 at Whitestone Farm in Aldie, Virginia.  That's right! - this year's event marks 20 years of CCC gatherings celebrating agriculture in our nation's capital!  Each year, this annual event brings hundreds of Washington D.C. policymakers, members of the media, and agriculture industry representatives together for outdoor fall fun and networking. The event is hosted by NCBA, the National Corn Growers Association and the National Cotton Council.  For more information, call 202-347-0228.

NCBA-PAC Preparing for Convention Events:  NCBA has planned a wide array of events at our upcoming Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show, January 31-February 3 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 31st – Saturday, February 3rd 
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 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.