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).

Trade Negotiations and Japan: This week, preliminary proposals in preparation for the upcoming Sixth World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong Dec. 13-18 are making headlines. Secretary Johanns spoke from meetings in Geneva, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has announced the U.S. Proposal for Bold Reform in Global Agriculture.

In terms of global trade, NCBA's immediate concern is the 22 month-old ban on U.S. beef going into Japan. U.S. beef export markets must be reopened or these current trade negotiations amount to little more than ‘window dressing’ for U.S. cattle producers. The recent U.S. proposal on market access clearly calls for a significant reduction in beef tariffs around the world, assuming a comprehensive WTO agreement is successfully negotiated that includes these parameters. NCBA will be in attendance at the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference in December. Until then, however, the continued Japanese embargo is an obvious example of the shortcomings that still exist when it comes to international beef trade, and the resolution of this ban should be seen as a top priority for all U.S. trade negotiators. For more information on the U.S. proposal for global agricultural trade reform, go to www.ustr.gov.

Continued Urge for Sanctions: This week, while most members of Congress are in their home states for the holiday recess, NCBA cattle producer-members are contacting members of Congress in their states urging the importance of resuming beef trade with Japan as soon as possible. Back in Washington DC, NCBA continues its communication with key Congressional leaders about possible legislation calling for economic sanctions on Japan, and reports solid support from lawmakers. In the House, NCBA continues to look for support for House Resolution 137 introduced by Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan) which calls for Japan to meet its trade obligations under the agreement reached in October 2004 or be subject to retaliatory economic measures.

Agriculture Appropriations: Congress is behind in finalizing Fiscal Year 2006 appropriations bills and will likely resume work next week on agriculture appropriations. This week, the House pushed back deadlines for finishing budget reconciliation reduction until October 31, 2005 while the Senate is expected to have their package completed by October 26, 2005. The Senate Agriculture Committees is required to cut $3 billion over the next 5 years from mandatory spending programs, while the House has increased their target savings to $4.5 billion. Each year, NCBA continues to work aggressively with Congress to ensure that cattle producers are a key player in the agriculture budget and appropriations process, ensuring that the infrastructure producers need to stay competitive is maintained.

FMD in Brazil: This week, an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on a farm in southwestern Brazil was reported to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). According to the OIE report, 153 cattle and eight pigs are infected in an area previously declared FMD-free. For many years, NCBA has worked with U.S. government officials, industry groups, and agricultural leaders from nations such as Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay toward prevention and eventual eradication of FMD.

The U.S. cattle herd is FMD-free, but outbreaks in South America underscore the need to maintain efforts to prevent the disease in the United States. Developing an action plan should this occur makes this country all the more aware of the seriousness of preventing this disease from affecting U.S. cattle. NCBA is working to protect the health of the U.S. herd and closely monitors the global FMD situation and all other government regulations that affect cattle health. Nations with FMD are prohibited from exporting live cattle, fresh beef and frozen beef to the United States and many other countries. This recent discovery re-iterates the critical need for beef producing and exporting countries to continue efforts toward full eradication of FMD.

Klamath ESA Tour: NCBA and the Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) hosted a tour this week, October 9-10, of the Klamath River Basin to show policymakers firsthand the impact of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on landowners in that area. Four key Senate staffers, all representing offices working on ESA reform legislation, attended the tour as well as the principal members of the delegations for Oregon and California. NCBA and the Public Lands Council applauded passage of H.R. 3824, the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act (TESRA) in the House September 29, and look forward to supporting similar legislation in the Senate.

Gray Confirmed to EPA Post: The Senate has confirmed Bush nominee Dr. George M. Gray as the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Research and Development with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Dr. Gray served as Executive Director of the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, as well as Lecturer on Risk Analysis at the Harvard School of Public Health. His primary research interests are risk characterization and risk communication with a focus on food safety and agriculture and chemicals in the environment. Gray holds a bachelor degree in biology from the University of Michigan, and a M.S. and Ph.D. in toxicology from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

NCBA-PAC/PEF to Hold First Annual All-Breed Bull Auction: Don’t miss your chance to bid on some of the best beef genetics and seedstock in the nation while supporting NCBA’s Political Action Committee (PAC). In conjunction with the 2006 Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show, NCBA’s PAC/PEF will host a bull sale during the "exclusive trade show hours" on Thursday, February 2 at 2:00pm next to booth #2330. Attendees will be provided a detailed sale catalogue including pedigree, ultrasound data, and EPD information for each lot (where applicable). Donations of seedstock and sale credits will be accepted until Friday, January 13, 2006.

Offerings to date include contributions from:

• Aristocrat Angus Ranch, Platteville, Colorado
• Edwards Angus Ranch, Denton, Montana
• Ekker Herefords, Vernon, Utah
• Fink Beef Genetics, Manhattan, Kansas
• Lyons Ranch, Manhattan, Kansas
• Three Trees Ranch, Sharpsburg, Georgia

To make a donation please contact Erin Vincent at 202-347-0228 or evincent@beef.org.

NCBA-PAC Team Penning: Also at the upcoming Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show in Denver this February, NCBA-PAC/PEF will be hosting a team penning competition! That’s right folks, team penning! The evening event will be held on Friday, February 3 beginning at 6:30pm. It will include the team penning finals, and a delicious steak fry dinner followed by a barn dance with live entertainment by James Lann and Branded, a talented up-and-coming country band from Texas. The event is sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health. Space is limited so don’t forget to order tickets when pre-registering for the 2006 Convention. NCBA members are also encouraged to ride in the team penning which begins at 8:00am on Friday February 3rd. All skill levels are welcome! If you are interested in riding please contact Erin Vincent at 202-347-0228 or evincent@beef.org.

Congressional Schedule: Congress is out of session this week for the Columbus Day and Yom Kippur holidays.

BSE Surveillance: To date, USDA’s Enhanced BSE Surveillance Program has tested 491,114 targeted animals at highest risk for BSE and has found only one confirmed case, evidence that our firewalls are working and the prevalence of this disease in the U.S. is extremely low. Testing 268,500 animals can detect BSE at a rate of 1 in 10 million adult cattle at a 99 percent confidence level.

Media Contact:
Tanya Augustson or Karen Batra at 202-347-0228; taugustson@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.