Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns
September 25, 2008
Contact: Heather Vaughan, 202-347-0228, or hvaughan@beef.org
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 in full or in part. If you would like to include NCBA’s logo, contact us at 303-694-0305.
Terry Stokes Resigns as CEO of NCBA: Terry Stokes, chief executive officer of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), announced today he will resign from his position following the 2009 Cattle Industry Convention, January 31, 2009.
Stokes said representing cattlemen and championing their cause has been the greatest honor and the most fulfilling job of his career, but he explained it also is all-consuming. He said he is looking forward to spending time with his family and exploring new opportunities.
“Terry shared his news with the NCBA officers this morning. I speak for all of them when I say we want Terry to stay. His leadership and commitment to the beef industry are incomparable. Yet, personally, we respect and honor Terry’s decision to make this life change. We only hope he continues to contribute to the industry; his leadership is that valuable,” said Andy Groseta, cattle producer, Cottonwood, Ariz., and president, NCBA.
Stokes joined NCBA 12 years ago, in 1996, as chief financial officer. He was appointed CEO in 2002. During his tenure as CEO, NCBA grew revenues 41 percent. Membership grew more than 17 percent in the past three years.
“So much of Terry’s work has been behind the scenes. He is not a ‘look-at-me’ kind of leader. So I’m not sure how many people realize what a difference he has made to NCBA and the beef industry. That said, I respect his personal decision to find the next mountain to climb,” said Gary Voogt, cattle producer, Marne, Michigan, and president-elect, NCBA. “NCBA deals with every issue the cattle industry faces, and Terry can speak to every single issue. He is amazingly adept at knowing what’s going on and what needs to be done,” said Voogt.
Stokes led the NCBA team in its response to the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the United States, a response that has been credited for maintaining consumer confidence in beef. Since that discovery late 2003, Stokes has dedicated countless hours to working with the U.S. government convincing world leaders to open their borders to U.S. beef.
“Those who have worked with Terry know he is, above all else, a collaborator. He can bring a room of opposing interests and personalities together and find common ground. And that’s because Terry is always focused on doing the right thing,” said Steve Foglesong, cattle producer, Astoria, Illinois, and vice president of NCBA. “NCBA has been Terry’s extended family, and we are extremely thankful to his family for sharing him as long as they have. This industry and NCBA are better for it,” said Foglesong.
Stokes also directed the development of a strategic plan for NCBA efforts funded by the beef checkoff, focusing on product innovation, nutrition and safety, what he calls the three pillars of demand. Most recently, Stokes ensured the 2008 Farm Bill included cattlemen’s top priorities, such as minimizing the record-keeping burden of Country of Origin labeling on producers and securing increased funding for conservation programs.
“NCBA is a stronger association today because Terry has been at the helm. He leaves it with a clear vision: to create a growing, profitable and sustainable beef industry. We will miss his leadership, commitment and passion both to the industry and NCBA,” said Groseta.
“Working with Terry through January next year, we will ensure a seamless transition,” concluded Groseta. NCBA’s officers will begin work on a search plan for the next CEO of NCBA.
Public Lands Council Holds Annual Meeting: The Public Lands Council (PLC) held its annual conference in Twin Falls, ID from September 24 through September 26, 2008. Participants discussed a wide range of issues impacting ranchers using public lands. Topics included the Endangered Species Act, carbon sequestration and credit systems, and fire management. NCBA President and Arizona rancher Andy Groseta addressed the group, emphasizing how public lands issues are important to the cattle industry as a whole. “Water and air quality issues that impact the entire industry often present themselves first on federal lands,” Groseta explained. “The Public Lands Council is doing great work on behalf of America’s cattle producers.”
Participants voted on policy for the upcoming year, and swore in Sky Krebs as the new PLC President. Krebs replaces outgoing President Dave Nelson.
“Dave has done a great job leading this organization,” Groseta said. “Skye will continue in his tradition of dedication to public lands ranching.”
House Passes Continuing Budget Resolution: This week, Congress passed H.R. 2638 – the “Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act.” The bill passed by a vote of 370-58, and included a Continuing Resolution for funding through March 2009.
Included in the legislation is nearly $22 billion in Disaster Assistance funding, including $1.433 billion in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Interior funding. From this funding, $910 million is allocated between Interior and USDA for Wildland Fire Management – including emergency suppression and burnt land rehabilitation.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency was appropriated $115 million and the USDA Rural Development Disaster Assistance Grant and Loan programs were appropriated $150 million.
The Senate expects to finish action on the CR tomorrow.
House Judiciary Passes Horse Slaughter Bill: On September 23, 2008, the House Judiciary Committee passed, via a party line voice vote, H.R. 6598 – the “Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008.” An Amendment was attached by Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) which added a requirement that the U.S. Attorney General’s office work in consultation with USDA on this matter.
Once the Committee finalizes their report for submission to the Rules Committee the bill could come to a floor vote. NCBA will continue to work against this bill on the Hill with hopes to prevent it from being considered on the House floor.
NCBA is working to ensure that Congress and the public are aware that although the bill was introduced under the guise of protecting horse welfare, it will produce unintended and inhumane consequences. Since state laws have banned horse processing, the number of abandoned, neglected, and starving horses has drastically increased.
What’s more, this bill would severely limit the rights of owners to manage their private property and subject horse owners to criminal prosecution should they sell their horses for processing.
NCBA continues to oppose this legislation, and has created a template for members to use when contacting members of Congress regarding this issue: http://capwiz.com/beefusa.
USDA and FDA Request Input on Codex Agenda: USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) held a public hearing with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday, September 25, 2008. Participants presented draft positions on agenda items for the Second Session of the Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), to be held in Seoul, Korea, Oct. 20 - 24, 2008. NCBA has been an active participant in these proceedings. Dr. Elizabeth Parker, NCBA’s Chief Veterinarian, traveled to Korea last year for the first session of the Codex task force as part of the U.S. Delegation.
European Commission Raises BSE Testing Age to 48 Months: The European Commission (EC) has raised the BSE testing age for cattle to 48 months from the current testing age of 30 months. Producers applauded the decision, saying it would reduce costs on ranchers.
Ulster Farmers Union president Graham Furey was quoted as saying, "If and when the decision is implemented in the UK it will mean farmers will not be charged the testing fee for cattle under 48 months and this should mean a saving per animal on kill charges."
Cattle over 30 months of age that meet market requirements will no longer be discounted because of their age.
BSE cases in most EU member states almost halved in 2007 and no new cases were registered in 14 of the 27 member states.
Beth Johnson Named Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety: Beth Johnson was named Acting Under Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today. Johnson replaces outgoing Under Secretary Richard Raymond.
Johnson is a registered dietitian who most recently served as Chief Assistant to Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner and Deputy Chief of Staff since May 2005. Previously, she worked in the Food and Drug Administration as a nutritionist for the food labeling division and as a research dietitian at the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Don't Miss the Award-Winning NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen: Don’t miss NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen! September 30th through October 5th we learn more about the Fort Dodge Animal Health Legacy Scholarship. Plus, we visit an Environmental Stewardship Award winning ranch. And we send a day in the life of a Colorado pen rider.
And from October 7th through October 12th look how to identify and treat Bovine Respiratory Disease. Plus, we spend a day in the life of an Oregon rancher. Also, we have a preview of the 2009 NCBA Trade Show in Phoenix, Arizona!
NCBA’S Cattlemen to Cattlemen debuts Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. The show also airs Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and on Sunday at 12:00 a.m. (All Times are Eastern) Don’t forget, you can watch NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen online anytime by visiting CattlemenToCattlemen.org.
NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen on RFD-TV provides weekly news and features for cattle producers across the country. It airs every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time, with repeat episodes on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Sundays at midnight (all times Eastern).
The program’s sponsors include Purina Mills, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Dow AgroSciences, Bayer Animal Health and McDonald’s.
For more information or to check out past episodes, visit www.cattlementocattlemen.org.
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