CONTACT:        Tanya Augustson                       (202) 347-0228               taugustson@beef.org

                        Karen Batra                               (202) 347-0228               kbatra@beef.org

U.S. Cattle Producers Update Top Policy Priorities
NCBA expects action on cattle industry issues this fall

Washington, D.C. (August 10, 2005) – The official 2005 Policy Agenda of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is a detailed, 175-page compilation of NCBA policy priorities, addressing more than 50 issues. During the 2005 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver, members considered current policy priorities and passed new resolutions and directives to make amendments to the 2005 Policy Book.

“With 175 pages on policy issues to cover, we are actively involved in pushing a huge list of policy priorities all year long,” says Paul Hitch, chairman of NCBA’s public policy group and Oklahoma cattleman. “NCBA works in Washington, D.C., for cattle producers on everything from international trade policy to cattle health policy to marketing issues. Every summer, we review the policies and make changes or additions.”

Along with new edits to policies, cattle producers came together in Denver to review major policy issues affecting cattle operations and analyze the overall state of the industry. Participants had one-on-one access to top government representatives and other industry leaders. These meetings assist NCBA members and staff in preparing for top policy issues expected to be on the table when Congress returns this fall.

 “NCBA has been fighting for permanent repeal of the Death Tax for many years,” says NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Jay Truitt. “This September, the Death Tax vote expected in the Senate could be the biggest one yet. This summer, U.S. cattle producers should be contacting Senate offices to tell them why the Death Tax must go.”

“Also big this fall could be Endangered Species Act Reform, Farm Bill budget reconciliation and planning, Animal ID, marketing issues, Appropriations, and much more,” says Truitt.

The following addendums were made to NCBA policy this summer, which will serve as interim policy until reviewed and voted on by NCBA members at the 2006 Cattle Industry Convention. The convention is scheduled for Feb. 1 through Feb. 4 in Denver. The full NCBA 2005 Policy Agenda can be found online at: http://hill.beef.org/policy.asp.

·         Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Trade Action: The United States has taken a leadership role in advocating sound science policies for the trade of beef products in global markets based on Office of International Epizooties (OIE) guidelines. After the 2003 BSE case, several countries immediately closed their borders to U.S. beef and beef products with no valid scientific basis or consideration of OIE guidelines. Such action has resulted in major disruptions in global beef trade including billions of dollars in losses for U.S. beef and beef product exports.

NCBA members resolved to take the necessary steps to request that the Bush Administration pursue all available options, including trade action at the WTO or trade sanctions, to reestablish trade in beef and beef products with all countries based upon sound science and the OIE guidelines.

·         BSE Testing Protocol: NCBA members agreed that recent decisions by USDA to utilize a different testing protocol have created tremendous uncertainty within the beef industry and that this uncertainty has caused many producers significant financial harm. Therefore, NCBA will continue to hold USDA accountable for its actions and work with the agency to maintain a science-based testing protocol for BSE to be utilized for any and all future tests conducted for this disease. 

·         Animal Identification: The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) must be implemented in a manner that is methodical and minimizes confusion to producers and industry. Standards must be created to ensure technologies and systems adequately perform under a variety of conditions across the beef industry. NCBA will urge USDA not to implement any system capable of allocating unique numbers to animal identification tag manufacturers for use in livestock within NAIS until the agency approves identification technology for NAIS purposes. 

·         Cattle Health: In regards to the protocol for receiving Canadian feeder cattle, NCBA staff is directed to work with USDA to ensure an accredited veterinarian be given authority to designate and train feedlot employees to perform the official protocol for receiving cattle, including breaking the seal on the truck and completing the required paperwork.

·         Property Rights: NCBA resolved to support Congressional action which would prevent governments from using eminent domain to facilitate the transfer of private property from one private entity to another private entity. NCBA will actively seek Congressional action to assure the definition of ‘public use’ shall exclude actions where government agencies can use eminent domain to transfer private property from one private entity to another.

·         Horse Polices: The cattle industry depends upon an economically healthy horse industry and having systems in place to offer a humane end of life for unwanted horses. In amending policy, NCBA agreed there is a continued need for the humane harvest of horses to prevent the inhumane treatment of horses that would result in neglect and abandonment. The existing infrastructure and funding mechanisms are not sufficient to support the humane existence of unwanted horses. NCBA opposes any horse harvesting and/or processing prevention act and any such legislation that would prohibit the harvest of horses for human consumption. NCBA resolved to support the right of horse owners to ethically and humanely dispose of unwanted horses. 

·         Federal Farm Program: NCBA re-approved the following parameters regarding development of any federal farm programs and will pursue legislation and/or regulatory action in the federal government within these parameters: (1) an economic review should be conducted gauging its effect on all segments of the beef industry before implementation of a non-emergency program, (2) NCBA wants evidence of a true need for the program, (3) all programs must have an ending date and a full analysis of the results and whether there is a continuing need, and (4) the program shall encourage private enterprise and minimize government involvement in agriculture.

·         Federal Lands: NCBA resolved to support legislation that extends the September 2006 sunset date of the Secure Rural School and Communities Self Determination Act (PL 106-393). This is defined as a contract between the people of rural “forest counties” and the federal government which provides relief from the diminishing tax base through the development of forest health improvement projects and stimulation of job development and economic stability. NCBA supports legislation that extends the September 2006 sunset date of PL 106-393.

·         Live Cattle Marketing: Since mandatory price reporting does not currently distinguish cows and bulls from steers and heifers, and such reporting would likely result in optimally accurate information and minimize the burden on those reporting, NCBA will urge Congress to amend the Mandatory Price Reporting Act. NCBA wants the Secretary of Agriculture to use the rulemaking process to specify reporting times, classes of products or other requirements of reporting.

·         BSE Policy Renewal: NCBA renewed its policy regarding BSE as a foreign animal disease. NCBA continues to consider protection of human health and the safety of the human food supply as its highest priority. Risk analysis indicates continued efforts to prevent the introduction of BSE coupled with enforcement of the FDA feed restrictions will continue to effectively prevent the emergence and potential spread of BSE. Therefore, NCBA renewed its policy regarding aggressive action on BSE. NCBA supports actions on the part of USDA-APHIS and the Customs Service to prevent the introduction of beef, beef products, animal feeds and feed ingredients that could transmit the BSE agent from countries with, or suspected of, having BSE and supports FDA fully enforcing the existing feed restrictions designed to prevent the potential amplification and spread of BSE.

NCBA recommends all beef and dairy producers request their feed suppliers provide them with a written statement stipulating that all feed and feed ingredients delivered are in compliance with FDA feed restrictions. NCBA supports increased research funding from the public and private sectors with the objective to continue to provide the American consumer with beef of the highest quality, consistency, safety, and wholesomeness.

·         International Markets: The U.S. Meat Export Federation has initiated a pilot project to develop and test the use of electronic export certificates in cross-border trade between the United States and Mexico. NCBA will direct its staff to aggressively urge USDA to budget for and implement electronic export certificates.

·         Veterinarians in Rural Communities: There is a chronic lack of veterinarians in rural areas of the United States, and the economics of viable practice have been inadequate to support rural veterinarians. NCBA has resolved to work with the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, other appropriate groups, and Congress to develop, support, and aid in funding the placement of veterinarians in rural communities.

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