Oct. 29, 2004 - Noxious Weeds Act will Benefit America’s Cattle Ranchers

Legislation that will help control noxious weeds was passed at the end of the last congressional session, benefiting America’s cattle ranchers. According to Bryan Dierlam, director of legislative affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, it was a long process getting legislative relief for this problem.

Cut #1     :34        Outcue: "...public and private land."

Dierlam says Senator Larry Craig and others in Congress realized the challenge ranchers faced with this issue.

Cut #2     :47        Outcue: "...from reinfesting ranches."

According to Dierlam, NCBA had success several times in getting attention to this problem, but recently the right pieces of the puzzle came together.

Cut #3     :28        Outcue: "...and invasive species weeds."

Other legislation important to cattle producers was also passed prior to recess, including disaster relief that will assist cattle producers and others who were affected by the hurricanes in the southeast, as well as by drought in other parts of the country.

President Bush is expected to sign the bills.