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).

Senate Bill Calls for Sanctions on Japan:  Senators Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) introduced bipartisan legislation October 26 calling for tariffs on Japanese products if Japan fails to reopen its market to U.S. beef.  The bill comes two days after the latest meeting of the Japanese Food Safety Commission (FSC) on October 24.  The FSC continues to stall on any action toward resuming trade 22 months after the border closed due to a single case of BSE in the U.S.  Conrad says “There is no scientific basis for Japan to continue blocking our exports.” 

The Senate legislation, which was introduced with 21 cosponsors, will require the U.S. Department of Treasury to implement additional tariffs on goods grown, produced or manufactured in Japan unless the U.S. Trade Representative can certify that Japan has reopened its market to U.S. beef by December 15, 2005.

“Clearly, Senate leaders are detecting the intense level of frustration from cattle producers across the countryside, and like us they are frustrated with the inactivity of the Japanese Food Safety Commission,” says NCBA President and Texas cattle producer Jim McAdams. “Through NCBA, cattlemen have continued to loudly express their frustrations with this non-science based trade ban.  These Senators' leadership is appreciated."

For More Information/Photos: NCBA has posted more information regarding the Japanese trade issue, including a timeline of events, fact sheet, and press statements, on the web at http://hill.beef.org/japan.  If your publication wants to run photos of the October 26 Senate press conference, contact Tanya Augustson at taugustson@beef.org or 202-347-0228.

Cattlemen Applaud Support in Congress:  NCBA says it is important that all cattle producers recognize the significance of this action by the U.S. Senate.  While the U.S. government continues to work to regain this important beef export market, cattle producers should contact the bill's cosponsors and thank them for their support.  If your Senators have not signed on to the bill, you should contact them to urge their support for this effort. 

Current cosponsors of the Senate legislation are: Senators Allard (R-Colo.), Baucus (D-Mont.), Bond (R-Mo.), Brownback (R-Kan.), Burns (R-Mont.), Chambliss (R-Ga.), Coleman (R-Minn.), Conrad (D-N.D.), Cornyn (R-Texas), Craig (R-Idaho), Crapo (R-Idaho), Dorgan (D-N.D.), Enzi (R-Wyo.), Johnson (D-S.D.), Lincoln (D-Ark.), Reid (D-Nev.), Roberts (R-Kan.), Salazar (D-Colo.), Talent (R-Mo.), Thomas (R-Wyo.), and Thune (R-S.D.).

In the House of Representatives, cattlemen are encouraged to contact Representatives about the Japan trade issue and urge support for House Resolution 137 introduced by Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.). To contact your Senators or Representative, visit www.beefusa.org and enter your zip code to send email messages directly to Congress.

FSC to Meet Again October 31:  Japan's Food Safety Commission said its subcommittee studying BSE will meet once again October 31 to decide whether to lift the ban on U.S. beef.  NCBA is concerned about the FSC’s inability to resolve the 22 month-old trade ban, and is especially concerned that several FSC members aren’t even attending meetings.  Media reports indicate some members of the Commission haven’t attended any FSC meetings within the 2005 calendar year.

BSE Surveillance Program Reaches Half Million Mark:  USDA’s Enhanced BSE Surveillance Program reached its half million mark this week, testing over half million high-risk animals for BSE since June 1, 2004.  The program has now tested 503,929 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.

Appropriations: House and Senate Appropriations conferees completed action on the Fiscal year 2006 Ag Appropriations Bill October 26, and votes on the final conference report could come as early as today.  Of interest to cattlemen, the following provisions were contained in the conference report:

• Implementation of the current mandatory country-of-origin labeling program has been delayed for two years (until September 30, 2008) on all commodities except fish and seafood, which is already in place.
• A ban on funding for inspecting facilities that process horses has been delayed for 120 days.  The language was also changed to allow these plants to operate on a "fee-for-service" basis which allows them to pay for USDA inspectors.  This will prevent these plants from having to shut down and cut hundreds of jobs.

The following amendments were considered but not included in the final report language:

• An amendment to implement a statutory ban on downer animals from the food supply.  (Downer cattle are already banned from the food supply as regulated by USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service.)
• An amendment to require that USDA develop a government-controlled animal ID movement database, reversing the Secretary's August 30 decision to support a private database.
• An amendment to exempt manure from the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as EPA's Superfund.

Budget Reconciliation:  On October 26, the Senate Ag Committee submitted their reconciliation bill detailing $3 billion in mandatory spending cuts over the next five years.  The House Ag Committee is scheduled to continue reconciliation discussions October 28 where they are expected to cut $4.5 million in mandatory spending over the next five years.  The House reconciliation package must be finalized and submitted to the Budget Committee by October 31. 

Idaho Rancher Testifies on Grazing Issues:  Mike Webster, Idaho rancher and president-elect of the Idaho Cattle Association testified today before the House Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health on grazing challenges being faced by public lands ranchers. The hearing was called to discuss a number of bills currently in play, among them, H.R. 3603, the Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act.  Of issue to ranchers, H.R. 3603 proposes to add certain Forest Service and BLM lands in central Idaho to the National Wilderness Preservation System, which could prohibit grazing in these areas.  “It is concerning that this legislation, in its current form, could entirely eliminate grazing,” said Webster. “Rather, this bill should seek for a way to creatively leave the door open to enable federal agencies to utilize grazing as a management tool in the future.” 

Webster testified on the many ecological benefits of grazing and suggested tempering the bill’s language to allow for grazing as a land management resource.  “It is difficult for us to encourage any action that removes multiple-use (particularly grazing) from the federal lands, especially on a permanent basis,” said Webster. “Livestock grazing is a wise and sustainable use of the land and, as a sound management tool, should never be removed from consideration.  In addition to its role in sustaining the local economies of Idaho, public lands grazing fosters a good ecological balance as it promotes good grass growth, prevents or lessens the threat of wildfires, and controls the spread of weeds.  As such, grazing is in harmony with the pure intent of wilderness.”

House Resources Committee Hearing on Property Rights:  The House Resources Committee hosted a hearing today, October 27 on proposed legislation dealing with property rights and eminent domain.  The STOPP Act, co-authored by Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Henry Bonilla (R-Texas) and Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-S.D.), would prohibit the use of Federal funding for any state or local government that uses its eminent domain powers to obtain private property for commercial development. Witnesses at today’s hearing included Bonilla and Rep. Butch Otter (R-Idaho).

Prairie Dog Management:  Jeff Eisenberg traveled to South Dakota this week, October 25-26 to meet with national and regional officials and ranchers to discuss ongoing issues with prairie dog management efforts.  The Public Lands Council (PLC) and NCBA are seeking assistance for ranchers and landowners in dealing with prairie dog populations on rangelands.  Myron Williams, South Dakota rancher and PLC member moderated the discussion with officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, South Dakota Department of Agriculture, and representatives from the offices of Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) and Rep. Tom Osborne (R-Neb.).  “We need to treat prairie dogs like any other species, deer, pheasants, even cattle,” said Williams. “We have to manage them to protect not only the environment, but themselves. No one wants to see an unhealthy population of any animal, which is what prairie dogs face if left unchecked.”  The meeting concluded with a tour of South Dakota’s Conata Basin which Williams described as resembling the 1930’s Dust Bowl because of land damage caused by prairie dogs. 

Costa Rica Meetings: Representing the interests of U.S. cattle producers nationwide, NCBA members including Kansas cattleman Dana Hauck and NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud are in Costa Rica this week for a variety of international trade meetings regarding the North and Central American cattle trade policies. The group of U.S. cattle representatives is also meeting with cattle producers from countries in the Central American Free Trade Agreement (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica) which passed earlier this year.  In addition, cattle producers from Mexico, Uruguay, and Canada are meeting with the U.S. delegation to discuss a wide variety of animal health and trade issues. NCBA is looking forward to the final implementation of CAFTA and the ability to increase export opportunities in these nations.

USDA Farm Bill Forums:  USDA continues its discussions of farm bill policy development in its forums going on across the country.  This week, Ag Secretary Mike Johanns and Rep. Marylyn Musgrave (R-Colo.) hosted a forum in Greeley, Colo. October 24. On October 25, Rural Development Under Secretary Tom Dorr hosted a forum in Manchester, N.H., and Food Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Eric Bost hosted a forum in Portland, Ore. Dorr also hosted a forum on October 26 in South Burlington, Vt. 

USDA is conducting the public forums to give ranchers and farmers a voice in developing the 2007 farm bill. NCBA producer-members are encouraged to attend a local forum and participate in these important discussions.  Future forums are scheduled for:

• Oct. 28, Boston, Mass., 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (EDT)
• Nov 1, Austin, Texas, time and venue TBD
• Nov 1, Charlottesville, VA, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (EST)
• Nov. 2, Atlanta, Ga., 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (EST)
• Nov. 3, Spokane, Wash., 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (PST)
• Nov. 4, Springfield, Mo., 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (CST)
• Nov. 4, Bozeman, Mont., 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (MST)
• Nov. 8, Mesquite, Nev., 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (PST)
• Nov. 12, Kona, Hawaii, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (HST)
• Nov. 16, New Brunswick, N.J., 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (EST)

Visit www.usda.gov/farmbill for more information. 

House Ag Committee Hearing WTO Negotiations:  Iowa cattle producer and NCBA past-president Wythe Willey will testify at a House Ag Committee hearing November 2 to discuss agricultural negotiations in the Doha Development Round and the expectations for the upcoming Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong. The Committee says “Agricultural tariffs worldwide average about 62 percent, while U.S. agricultural tariffs are 12 percent. Ag negotiations are the means to achieve fair trade.” Willey has been a strong voice for the cattle industry on international trade issues and was appointed by President Bush to serve on the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations (ACTPN), the principal trade advisory committee of the United States.  In his testimony, he will urge the importance of increased international market opportunities for U.S. cattle producers.  In related news, the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing today, October 27 on WTO trade negotiations.  Also, NCBA has joined the American Business Coalition for Doha.  More information is at www.ABCDoha.org.

All-Breed Bull Auction to Benefit NCBA-PAC:  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 PAC/PEF will host their first annual bull sale during the "exclusive trade show hours" 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:

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

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 host a team penning competition! 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 order tickets when you pre-register for the Convention. NCBA members are also encouraged to ride in the team penning which begins at 8:00 am 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.

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.