NCBA PAC Endorses President George W. Bush

DENVER (August 13, 2004) - The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Policy Division Board of Directors has approved a directive instructing the NCBA PAC to formally endorse and financially support the candidacy of George W. Bush for President of the United States.This historic decision was made because the policies of President Bush and those of his Administration most closely match the policies of the NCBA.

NCBA President and Kansas cattle producer Jan Lyons notified the Bush campaign that this directive was agreed to at NCBA’s Board of Directors meeting this morning in Denver .

NCBA’s mission is to protect and enhance the profitability of its member producers.President Bush supports the growth and success of American small businesses, and his positions on key issues, his proven track record, and his agenda for his next term provide an environment in which cattle producers and rural communities can prosper and better overcome their business challenges.

Animal Health: The Bush Administration is committed to working with producers and with industry on efforts to better ensure the health of our cattle herd in the U.S. With so many of these animal health policies still in development following the December 23 BSE case, it is important to maintain the working relationship we have fostered with the current Administration’s animal health experts.

Environment: President Bush has worked unwaveringly to insert reason and science into the debate on environmental policy and better protect the rights of private property owners.He is working to make regulations on air and water quality and endangered species more workable, and he believes government-industry partnerships and conservation incentive programs better protect the environment and the lands on which cattle producers have their operations.

Trade: President Bush’s record on trade is one of the most aggressive in history.His trade agenda is valuable to cattle producers who depend on increased market opportunities outside the U.S. to grow their businesses.The President has said he will “work tirelessly to open up markets for agricultural products all over the world,” and he has taken a firm stand against protectionism and isolationism to protect against the negative impact on American agriculture producers.

Federal Lands: President Bush believes in the principles of multiple use on Federal Lands, and that resource development and environmental protection can exist simultaneously.President Bush will continue to work to protect the rights of grazing permitees, and he respects the efforts of cattle ranchers to protect the lands where they graze cattle.

Tax Issues: In 2003, President Bush signed into a law his economic stimulus initiative which contained bold tax incentives for small businesses, farmers and ranchers, and offered more that