Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns: September 25, 2003

The 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 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) D.C. headquarters. These critical efforts are funded by cattle producers and other industry supporters through their voluntary membership contributions to NCBA. Please feel free to reprint in full.

Mexican Trade Conflicts:
U.S. cattle producer members of NCBA are increasingly frustrated with recent initiatives aimed at the destruction of our long-term trading relationship with Mexican cattle producers. These conflicts are costing U.S. beef producers millions of dollars in lost beef exports to Mexico. Our industry’s future growth is dependent upon our ability to export, and we simply cannot let existing trading relationships slip, or take them for granted. For example, NCBA received news earlier this year that Mexican cattlemen filed a petition with their government asking for a safeguard due to a "surge" in beef imports. Also, since April 2000, the Mexican government has imposed a complex set of specific duties on most beef carcasses and cuts. Repeated delays in a decision regarding this anti-dumping tariff have left these duties on beef exports to Mexico in place for more than three years. U.S. trade statistics reflect a steady increase and growth, and there has been no ‘surge’ in U.S. beef imports to Mexico. In addition, there is no legitimate reason to accuse our industry of dumping in the Mexican market and to impose such a complex system of tariffs on our exporters. We are frustrated with these unwarranted accusations.

U.S. cattle producers are speaking out against these unjustifiable actions, as the tariff on beef trade between the two nations was established at zero in 1994, until these arbitrary anti-dumping duties were imposed. The bottom line is that we will not re-open or re-negotiate NAFTA. We need to put an end to these destructive trade maneuvers that will only distress both U.S. and Mexican markets. NCBA CEO Terry Stokes testified this week before the Senate Finance Committee at a hearing titled: "Unfulfilled Promises: Mexican Barriers to U.S. Agricultural Exports." Photos are available. In addition, a letter detailing the anti-dumping case was sent on September 9 to United States Trade Representative Robert Zoellick.

Grazing Permit Renewal:
The Public Lands Council continues to work with Congressional leaders on securing long-term legislative language to ensure that grazing permits are not interrupted while federal agencies struggle to meet environmental documentation obligations. Led by Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) with help from Senators Larry Craig (R-ID) and Craig Thomas (R-WY), a provision for permit protection for 5 years was included in the Senate FY 2004 Interior Appropriations bill completed on Wednesday. The effort would not have succeeded without the support of Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). We are working with members of the House to get the provision included in the final Interior Appropriations in conference.

Food Safety and Animal Health:
NCBA CEO Terry Stokes and NCBA President Eric Davis were in Washington this week and met with a number of Congressional leaders and agency officials on animal health and food safety issues such as those related to the Canadian BSE case. Members of our leadership team visited with officials at USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on Tuesday, with USDA Secretary Ann Veneman on Wednesday morning, and with House Ag Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) Wednesday afternoon. NCBA’s discussions on these issues are ongoing and part of the collaborative process and cooperative partnership with government to work on these science-based issues.

Nutrition Issues:
This week, we were in attendance at the first meetings of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) on Tuesday and Wednesday. NCBA, along with countless other food and nutrition organizations, are involved with this process to monitor the activities of this committee. The DGAC consists of 13 nutrition professionals responsible for reviewing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans report, published every five years. This is a broad-based nutrition policy guide which utilizes the latest scientific and medical knowledge to advise the general public on ways to improve overall health through proper nutrition. This country’s Dietary Guidelines process allows everyone concerned about public health to have a voice. We continue to reiterate beef’s exceptional nutritional value. The future guidelines developed will become the basis for U.S. government nutrition programs, such as school lunches.

Death Tax:
Permanent repeal of antiquated Death Tax continues to be a top priority for U.S. cattle producers, and we are continuing to educate members of Congress on the devastating impacts of this tax. In related developments, President Bush mentioned permanent repeal of the death tax in his weekly radio address last Saturday. In his remarks celebrating National Small Business Week, the President said "our nation honors the enterprise and hard work of small business owners and employees" and he emphasized the importance of tax relief to these small businesses. "We need to make sure tax relief is permanent… And small business owners, ranchers, farmers want the death tax buried for good."

Indonesian Visitors:
Our Washington D.C. office hosted a large group of visitors from Indonesia today. The meeting was between food safety and regulatory officials from Indonesia, USDA officials, the U.S. Meat Export Federation and NCBA D.C. staff members. Participants discussed the U.S. cattle industry’s position on a possible ban, similar to the one in the European Union (EU), on U.S. beef from cattle raised with growth-promoting hormones. U.S. beef is the gold standard for quality and safety, and the decades-old EU ban flies in the face of fair international trade based on sound, scientific standards. Numerous U.S. and international scientific studies, including those by EU scientists, have shown that the U.S. cattle industry produces safe and wholesome beef. Growth-promoting hormones allow cattlemen to produce leaner beef more efficiently and cost-effectively. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the practice more than 30 years ago. In this era of global markets and expanding international trade, sound science must continue to be upheld as the basis for resolving disagreements among trading partners.

Biosecurity:
NCBA Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs Gary Weber participated in a panel discussion on Biosecurity threats to Agriculture. The panel was taped on Tuesday afternoon for broadcast as part of National Association of Farm Broadcasters’ "Voice for Agriculture" issue series. Other panelists included Jon Caspers, National Association of Pork Producers, and Phil Seng, Meat Exporters Federation.

Country-of-Origin Labeling:
NCBA staff and leadership met with members of Congress this week to discuss the country-of-origin labeling issue and the policy that NCBA members adopted at the summer board meeting. NCBA policy maintains that more of the value created by country-of-origin labeling will be kept for producers under a voluntary program.

Healthy Forests:
Initiatives to protect America’s forestland and facilitate more effective management of potential threats to forest health such as fire and disease are making great strides in the Senate, according to a statement released today by the House Resources Committee. Committee Chairman Richard W. Pombo (R-CA) commended Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) for advancing the Healthy Forests Restoration Act in the Senate. The House passed the legislation on May 20th with a bipartisan vote of 256-170. Wildfires have already decimated more than 3 million acres in the United States this year. Pombo is calling for the bill to go to the President's desk before the next Congressional recess. NCBA and the Public Lands Council are fully supportive of the Healthy Forest initiative, and applaud members of Congress for moving this important piece of legislation. Fire management on public lands was a central issue discussed at the Public Lands Council meeting last week.

PLC Annual Meeting:
Approximately 80 cattlemen and cattle industry representatives attended last week’s Public Lands Council annual meeting in Medora, North Dakota. Highlights include: Region I U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Regional Forester Brad Powell gave attendees an update on the agency’s administration of grasslands; Bureau of Land Management (BLM) official Tim Murphy discussed local participation in wildfire management; Arizona Cattlemen gave an overview its proposal for private collaborative stewardship of Forest Service districts and a report on USFS Chief Dale Bosworth’s visit to ranchers on the Tonto National Forest last month; and PLC Executive Director Jeff Eisenberg briefed PLC members on strategies to implement legislative language for permanent grazing permit renewal (see story above.) Of particular note, PLC members voted unanimously to reject BLM’s proposal for reserve common allotments.

Farmer and Rancher Pilot Loan Program:
USDA Secretary Ann Veneman announced Monday the appointment of 20 members to the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, and announced a pilot program to help beginning farmers and ranchers purchase land. According to the USDA, these programs will help beginning farmers and ranchers with needed information and financing. The Committee is required by the Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 and members serve for two years. The appointed members are listed online: http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2003/09/0327.htm. More information about this and other Farm Service Agency programs can be found at a local USDA Service Center or at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.

Congressional Visit:

Texas Congressman Pete Sessions, who represents the 32nd District of Texas, visited NCBA’s Washington office on Wednesday afternoon. Numerous agriculture and food organizations met to discuss current issues in the U.S. House of Representatives. Sessions was first elected in 1996, then re-elected in 1998 and 2000 by the people of Dallas and the Fifth Congressional District. In the 2002 elections, Congressman Sessions was re-elected to a fourth term representing the newly created 32nd Congressional District. As a member of the majority party in Congress, and a friend of President Bush and Vice-President Cheney, Congressman Sessions has become a national leader on issues of great importance to the people of Texas. In addition, Sessions is a member of the House Rules Committee and the House Select Committee on Homeland Security. Photos of the visit are available.

Join in Our Fight!

The largest trade association representing America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, NCBA has a one hundred year old history and an influential voice in Washington, D.C. Our cattle producers are today’s leaders in the industry, working to increase profit opportunities for cattle and beef producers by enhancing the business climate and building consumer demand. We are proud of our impressive heritage, and are dedicated to protecting our business, promoting our product, and preparing for our tomorrow. For more information on how you can join the tens of thousands of cattle producers from across the U.S. in working for the future of their industry, contact NCBA Member Services at 1-866-BEEF-USA.

Media Contact:

Tanya Augustson or Karen Batra at 202-347-0228 taugustson@beef.org or kbatra@beef.org