Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns: October 16, 2003

Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns
October 16, 2003
-------------------

European Beef Hormone Ban:
The European Union (EU) attempted to garner new attention this week by making an announcement that their recent scientific studies say that hormone-treated beef poses a potential health risk. NCBA staff members spoke with government officials after the announcement, and the U.S. has completely dismissed these claims, reiterating this is just another attempt by the EU to stir up old, non-scientific studies which have no validity. The EU ban on U.S. hormone-treated beef continues to be a complete violation of international trade rules. It is an illegal trade barrier, not at all based on sound science. Repeated studies, including ones done by the EU, show that the banned growth promotants pose no threat to human or animal health when used according to approved veterinary procedures.

The official World Trade Organization (WTO) case reiterated this, when they upheld sound science rather than socio-economic factors as the basis for international trade and ruled in favor of the United States, forcing the EU to drop the ban or prove it is scientifically valid. The EU refuses to implement the recommendations and rulings of the World Trade Organization. This EU ban is pure protectionism, and U.S. cattlemen will continue to fight the EU on this matter. U.S. cattlemen are proud of their outstanding product, raising and producing the safest beef in the world.

Animal ID:
Producer members of NCBA from across the country are leading efforts in the development of a national animal identification system. After several days of discussion at the U.S. Animal Health Association’s Annual Meeting in San Diego, a resolution regarding the next steps took shape this Tuesday October 14. NCBA CEO Terry Stokes and Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs Gary Weber, along with NCBA producer/members and affiliates including J. Lee Alley (AL), John Maas (CA), Allen Bright (NE), Wade Moser (ND), Gary Wilson (OH), Matt Brockman (TX), and Ross Wilson (TX) crafted the resolution that passed the animal ID committee by unanimous vote. The resolution establishes an important next step-- the creation of species-specific groups that will further define requirements for these systems. Ohio producer and member of the National Animal ID Steering Committee Gary Wilson reiterated that NCBA will coordinate and lead an interdisciplinary and inter-organizational process to decide how the beef industry will utilize the now-standardized individual ID and premises identification systems. Of particular significance is determining how best to protect a producer's confidentiality.

Cattle producers can be assured that NCBA will assume a leadership role in the bovine species group so we can protect producers’ interests while ensuring the health of our cattle herd. We will be meeting with affiliate organizations next week. More information on these discussions and details about the formal language contained in the resolution will be reported next week.

Australian Trade:
U.S. cattlemen will not support a free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia without increased market access for U.S. beef exports, preferably in Japan and South Korea. NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Chandler Keys brought this point home at a panel discussion in downtown Washington on the U.S./Australian Free Trade Agreement this Tuesday, October 14. Keys reiterated that cattlemen are proud of their high-quality U.S. product, and don’t mind competing with imports as long as there are beneficial, innovative export opportunities for U.S. beef. An FTA with Australia could increase Australian beef imports to the U.S., with no beneficial export opportunity for U.S. cattlemen. Cattlemen believe that the U.S. government needs to become involved in other FTAs to match the Australia agreement if they want the agreement to pass in Congress. In years past, the Chinese tariff was successfully negotiated from 35 percent to 12 percent. Cattlemen will be urging the Bush Administration to negotiate a reduction of the Korean tariff, now 40 percent, and the Japanese tariff, now 50 percent. The U.S. and Australia are slated to finish the negotiations on the U.S./Australia FTA by the end of this year. NCBA continues to be actively involved in these FTA discussions.

Mexico:
Although there has been no formal announcement, ongoing meetings are occurring in reaction to information received last week that the Mexican government has plans to announce a WTO safeguard against U.S. beef exports to Mexico. A safeguard case is different than an anti-dumping case because it alleges a surge in imports has caused direct injury to the Mexican beef industry. U.S. trade statistics indicate no surge in U.S. beef exports to Mexico.

The tariff on beef trade between the two nations was established at zero in 1994, until arbitrary anti-dumping duties were imposed. This safeguard claim comes on top of the current NAFTA anti-dumping duties that Mexico imposed on April 28, 2000, which has cost U.S. beef producers millions of dollars in lost beef exports to Mexico. NCBA producer/members and leadership will be meeting with Mexican cattlemen next week in Houston, TX to discuss these trade issues.

CAFTA:
NCBA continues to monitor ongoing negotiations on a free trade agreement with Central America (CAFTA). As negotiations continue, NCBA will meet with Central American cattlemen next week in Houston, TX to discuss beef trade issues. We continue efforts in monitoring and advising on this trade initiative to assure that any trade initiatives reduce barriers to access for U.S. beef.

Morocco:
Negotiations also continue on a free trade agreement with Morocco. The opening of this market would be beneficial to U.S. cattlemen. NCBA has previously submitted comments and conducted numerous meetings regarding negotiations for a FTA with Morocco. We support negotiating an FTA with Morocco as it has the potential to expand export opportunities for beef and cattle, and to increase regional support for U.S. positions at the WTO. Morocco presents an opportunity to expand access to a country that is also aligned with the European Union through a bilateral agreement, so a U.S./Morocco FTA also offers strategic opportunities.

Walk-a-Mile in My Boots:
Cattle producers from various regions across the country are getting involved in the innovative "Walk a Mile in My Boots" program, which gives U.S. cattlemen and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees an opportunity to conduct a job-exchange. Just recently, cattle producers Bob Lee (MT) and Jim Little (ID) gave local U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees a "real world" experience as cattle producers, and cattle producer Houston Jones (TX) took a turn in a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service office to see what the employees there were up to. More exchanges are planned over the next coming months.

Over the years, many NCBA members have brought up concerns that their local FWS officials do not understand the priorities and challenges of cattle producers. In addition, there are many FWS officials out there that would love to have the opportunity to experience life on a ranch. This is a great opportunity for our cattlemen and agency scientists to see what it’s like on the ‘other side of the fence.’ Any cattle producer or FWS employee can apply for the exchange program.

Water Issues:
NCBA Director of Environmental Issues Tamara McCann Thies participated in a workshop called "From Source Water to Drinking Water: Emerging Challenges for Public Health." The workshop, sponsored by the National Academies of Science took place all day today, Thursday October 16, in Washington. The sessions on non-point source pollution and nutrient loading yielded discussions on water issues affecting cattle ranchers.

Country-of-Origin Labeling:
NCBA Director of Legislative Issues Bryan Dierlam participated in a panel discussion on country-of-origin labeling. The panel was taped Monday October 13 for broadcast as part of National Association of Farm Broadcasters' "Voice for Agriculture" issue series. Other panelists included: Jon Caspers, National Pork Producers Council; Bill Bullard; R-CALF USA; Dave Fredrickson, National Farmers Union. In related activities, NCBA is preparing for the publication of the COL cost/benefit analysis and proposed rule which will soon appear in the Federal Register. NCBA continues to meet with members of Congress to discuss pursuit of a market-driven, producer-friendly labeling program consistent with the policy NCBA members adopted at the summer board meeting.

CCC Event:
NCBA is coordinating and co-hosting the 18th annual CCC Party on Sunday, October 19th at Beaver Dam Farm in Middleburg, Virginia. Over four hundred Washington-area policymakers, members of the media, and representatives from the nation’s agriculture sectors attend the event each year, which is also hosted by National Corn Growers Association and the National Cotton Council.

Tanya Augustson or Karen Batra at 202-347-0228 taugustson@beef.org or kbatra@beef.org
For more information, please visit our web site at hill.beef.org.

---