Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns
October 26, 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.

ESAP’s 2007 Application Information Now Available!  The 17th Annual Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) has officially opened its nomination season for 2007. The program has nationally recognized the outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of U.S. cattle producers for almost two decades. 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.

Rural Voters – Make Sure Your Voice is Heard on November 7!:  Election Day 2007 is less than two weeks away.  This mid-term election has created many close races and control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and many state governments is up for grabs. This could mean big changes that could impact your community and your business.  If you’re undecided about candidates in your state, now is the time to research their background and voting record, and urge 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.

NCBA members can visit http://capwiz.com/beefusa to find out more about the candidates in their district.  Click on the “Election” section.  If you have any questions about which candidates are best for the cattle industry, do not hesitate to contact our D.C. office at 202-347-0228.

Five Nations Beef Conference: After meeting in Bowral, Australia last week, the national beef producing associations of Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and the United States left the Five Nations Beef Conference with a consensus on principles and action items for this year and next including:

- Overriding Principle:  To exceed global consumers’ expectation in respect of beef, while eliminating non-scientific and political trade restrictions.

- Trade Reform:  The Five Nations Beef Alliance (the “FNBA”) will continue to push for further liberalization as a key priority in the Doha Round of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations. The FNBA unequivocally supports expanded market access via the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers, the elimination of export subsidies and substantial reductions in domestic support.  The FNBA urges all beef importing countries to ensure that sound science remains the only basis for resolving sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues.  The FNBA agreed that when countries conduct their own science based risk assessments, their respective governments implement international (OIE) science-based guidelines related to BSE so that trade in cattle, genetic material, beef and beef products can be conducted without interruptions on non-scientifically based criteria.

- Animal Identification:  The FNBA supports the ongoing development of animal identification systems that allow for the eradication of animal disease and management of animal health concerns in the beef industry.  Each member of the FNBA, along with each beef producing nations around the world, is urged to move forward with systems that deliver pragmatic and effective tracking and tracing capabilities which provides confidence to beef consumers.

- Animal Health:  Recognising the dangers of the spread of livestock disease for the beef industry, the FNBA urges all governments and quarantine authorities to remain vigilant in preventing the introduction of exotic diseases.

- Animal Welfare:  The FNBA endorses the ongoing need to maintain animal welfare codes and/or legislation that are science based, outcome focused and that do not impede trade

The next conference will be held in the United States in mid May 2008.

South Korea FTA:  Negotiations regarding the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement have started up again this week in South Korea. The negotiators began talks Monday and an estimated one thousand activists protested against free trade. In 2003 alone, this export market for U.S. cattle producers was valued at over $815 million – our third largest export market. NCBA supports this FTA but several key issues must be resolved, including: the re-opening of the South Korean market to U.S. beef, elimination of Korea’s tariffs on U.S. beef, and resolution of important sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues.

Cattlemen Continue Pushing Superfund Bills Over Recess:  Continuing a long-standing effort, NCBA members are urging support for a pair of bills in Congress which will clarify that manure should not be regulated under Superfund laws.  Both houses of Congress adjourned September 29, but cattle producers are encouraged to continue stressing the importance of this legislation with U.S. Senators and Representatives back home or by contacting their offices.  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 to them about the importance of this issue! 

New FMD Survey Needs Your Input: NCBA is encouraging all cattle producers to take a few minutes to fill out an online survey that will aid in enhancing preparation for a possible Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak.  Animal health researchers at the Center for Animal Disease Modeling and Surveillance (CADMS) in the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis are developing a simulation model designed to characterize the size and duration of a possible foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) epidemic in the United States. This effort is supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and USDA. The model will also be used to identify the best strategies, including vaccination, to contain an outbreak and minimize the impact to the livestock industry. To participate in the online survey, please go to: www.cadms.ucdavis.edu.

Annual CCC Event This Weekend! The 20th annual "Corn, Cotton, and Cattle" (CCC) Picnic is this Sunday, October 29 at Whitestone Farm in Aldie, Virginia.  This year's event marks 20 years of CCC picnics celebrating agriculture in the 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.

Congressional Schedule:  Congress has recessed to run campaigns prior to the November 7 mid-term elections.  Both houses are expected to reconvene November 13.

Plan NOW for 2007 Cattle Industry Convention: Preparations are already 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 one-on-one discussions regarding key public policy issues at a variety of committee meetings. On Wednesday, January 31, Cattlemen's College® Programs, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health will offer dynamic programs on cattle marketing, production methods, cattle health, management strategies, estate planning, conservation and more. Opening General Session starts at 4:00pm on Wednesday, and then the NCBA Trade Show opens with a Welcome Reception and NCBA-PAC Bull Auction on Wednesday night. For more on how you can participate in this exciting auction event, check out the information below.

On Thursday, February 1, the day begins with the 2007 Beef Industry Issues Forums. Thursday afternoon, the NCBA Officers Forum will provide an opportunity for cattlemen to dialogue with the NCBA officers about any issue in the industry or pertaining to NCBA. It’s “open mic” time, so bring your questions and ideas. Also Thursday are the NCBA Regional Caucus Meetings where you can meet with fellow members in your region to discuss hotbed issues in your area, and the announcement of the national winner of our Environmental Award Stewardship Program at our ESAP reception.

Your Voice Counts! Friday, February 2 is the day for all NCBA Policy Subcommittee & Committee Meetings. Those involved in the cattle industry are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in the decision-making that shapes the issues affecting NCBA’s agenda for the coming year. Final scheduling for all committee and subcommittee meetings will be listed in the Final Program. The following committee meetings are open to all meeting participants and strongly encouraged!
- NCBA Agriculture Policy Committee: The committee will be discussing the results of the 2006 elections and how they will affect agriculture policy in Congress. We will continue to discuss the 2007 Farm Bill and finalize our interim policy that was passed at Summer Conference. Updates on issues such as immigration and animal activism will also be given.
- NCBA Cattle Health & Well Being Committee: Please join our Committee to get an update on the latest animal health issues being considered by USDA, FDA, and in Congress.
- NCBA Federal Lands Committee: The committee will consider federal lands resource issues and hear from decision-makers about current issues across the West and in Washington, D.C.
- NCBA Live Cattle Marketing Committee: Discussions will focus on the latest factors impacting cattle marketing including the outlook for cattle markets and the status of USDA's comprehensive cattle industry marketing study. The committee will also discuss strategies for addressing potential Farm Bill legislation that will arise regarding marketing issues.
- NCBA Property Rights and Environmental Management Committee: As we prepare for the potential of a 2007 Farm Bill, we will discuss conservation programs from the 2002 Farm Bill and conservation goals for future farm policy.  Learn the latest on the EPA’s efforts to regulate coarse particulate matter (dust) that may affect agriculture operations, the status of the Clean Water Act CAFO Rule, and where we are on our efforts to define that manure is not a hazardous substance under Superfund.
- NCBA Tax and Credit Committee: The committee will be working on continued priorities to eliminate taxes that reduce the profitability of cattle operations in the United States. Permanent repeal of the Death Tax and other issues will be on the agenda to ensure that NCBA is positioned and prepared for activity in the 110th Congress.
- NCBA Joint International Markets Committee:  Get the latest update on all the trade issues affecting our industry, including World Trade Organization and free trade agreement negotiations, NCBA's continued efforts to get U.S. beef back into international markets, and the outlook for U.S. beef exporters into the future.  Also, the U.S. Meat Export Federation will discuss their programs overseas to reestablish U.S. beef and beef products in our key markets.

After the policy committees meet, the Resolutions Committee will compile all final resolutions from cattle producers. On Saturday, February 3, the NCBA Board of Directors Meeting takes place, and then it’s time for the NCBA Annual Membership Meeting. This event is especially important for cattle producers and is open to all registered attendees. NCBA voting members will have the opportunity to approve or modify new policies on Policy Division matters approved by the Policy Division Board. Your voice and your vote make a difference in the outcome of this meeting!

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, 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 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.