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Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns Archive
Contact:
Bethany Shively,
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. | |
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OIE Raises Cattle Age Limit for International Beef Trade
The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has adopted a resolution that lifts any age limit regarding international boneless beef trade in countries where Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has occurred. Under the previous OIE guideline, unrestricted trade in beef had been limited to boneless beef from cattle under 30 months old. The new guideline lifts any age restriction in the trade of boneless beef, regardless of a country's OIE risk classification for BSE.
The resolution, along with the Japan's new "controlled-risk" status--which puts the country on the same level with the U.S.--should help bolster our ongoing efforts to increase market access for U.S. beef around the world, including Japan. Japan's 20 month and under age restriction on imports of U.S. beef is limiting the U.S. to about 25% of pre-BSE levels of trade, translating to at least $1 billion in untapped beef export revenues each year.
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NCBA Calls for Fair Trade Policies With China
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and its partners in the Ad Hoc Coalition for Fair Trade in Agricultural Products with China are submitting comments to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) regarding a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute proceeding recently initiated by China. China has requested a WTO consultation, likely in anticipation of initiating dispute settlement proceedings to challenge section 727 of the Agricultural Appropriations Act-which precludes the U.S. from importing certain poultry products from China by preventing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) from conducting a risk assessment and evaluation of the safety of poultry imports from China.
The following is an excerpt from the Coalition's comments:
"WTO rules...recognize that health and safety is best guaranteed by a rational and science-based decision making process. WTO rules recognize that measures can be taken by a country under the guise of health and safety which are actually motivated by other factors. As a consequence, WTO rules require that measures taken by WTO Members in the sanitary and phytosanitary arena be based on sound science and appropriate risk assessment, to ensure that those measures are employed fairly, justifiably and in a non-discriminatory manner.
"U.S. exporters expect that other countries that are WTO Members will abide by those standards, and know that their success in the export arena depends upon strict observance of these important rules of law. If another country acts to deprive U.S. exporters of market opportunities under the guise of unjustified SPS (Phytosanitary) measures, we expect that our government will take immediate action to redress these problems by insisting that the rights of the United States under the WTO Agreements be observed. Equally important, the members of the Coalition expect the United States to observe the rule of law in its dealing with other WTO member countries. We will have little ability to insist on adherence to the rule of law if we do not do so ourselves."
"...The members of the Coalition...do not prejudge the decision that FSIS ultimately may make on China's application if it is eventually permitted to conduct a risk assessment on Chinese poultry meat. The Coalition contends, however, that international rules require that FSIS be permitted to conduct a risk assessment, and to make the decision to grant or deny China's application on the scientific merits of the case.
"If China is unable to demonstrate that its product is safe, FSIS will so determine; if China is able to show that its product meets U.S. standards, FSIS will so decide. China should be treated, in this regard, just as any of our other WTO trading partners are treated, no better and no worse."
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NCBA Works to Protect Ag Workers' Privacy Rights
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and our partners in the Agriculture for a Democratic Workplace (ADW) coalition are continuing to urge members of Congress to protect worker and employer rights by opposing the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). In a letter dated June 1, NCBA and more than 50 state and national agriculture groups called on Congress to oppose the bill, along with so-called "compromises" that are nothing more than new approaches to eliminating the secret ballot and mandating arbitration when workers are deciding whether or not to join a union.
The EFCA would effectively deprive American workers-including most agriculture workers-of their right to vote in a private ballot process. Under the Act, workers would be subject to a "card check" program, which would eliminate anonymity and allow for coercion and intimidation during the voting process.
Three main "compromises" that have been discussed on the Hill are the issues of mail-in ballots, workplace access, and so-called "quickie" elections. While these proposals may expedite the organizing process, they would also sacrifice the rights of employees for the wants of professional union organizers; just as the EFCA does.
The EFCA was reintroduced in both the U.S. Senate (S. 560) and House of Representatives (H.R. 1409) in March. The bill passed last year in the House, before falling short of a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. For more information on ADW, visit: www.coalitionforagriculture.org
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USDA Releases Details for Additional NAIS Listening Sessions The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released details for six additional public listening sessions on the implementation of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). For information, visit: www.usda.gov/nais/feedback.shtml.
All beef producers, regardless of size, location or type of operation, will be affected by this program. In order to ensure NAIS works for the beef industry and accomplishes the goal of improved animal disease response and surveillance, without harmful unintended consequences, it is vital that individual producers and operations share their concerns and ideas for improvement with USDA. NCBA encourages all interested parties to attend the listening sessions or submit comments. Individuals may pre-register for the sessions at: NAISSessions@aphis.usda.gov or submit comments at: www.regulations.gov.
NCBA has talked to Secretary Vilsack about this issue and we're encouraged by his efforts to maintain an open and constructive dialogue with stakeholders. We look forward to continuing to work closely with USDA on the development of an animal identification system that makes sense for producers. NCBA advocates a voluntary animal identification system that is workable, affordable and able to move at the speed of commerce to enable state and federal animal health officials to respond rapidly and effectively to animal health emergencies, such as foreign animal disease outbreaks or emerging domestic diseases. We continue to stress that animal ID is not a food safety tool. There are already multiple firewalls and inspection procedures in place to keep our beef supply safe. The NAIS will not enhance food safety, nor was it intended for that purpose.
NCBA has led a number of producer education and outreach efforts to encourage participation in animal identification systems, and many of our members already participate voluntarily in a variety of these programs as one of many tools to improve their herds, monitor disease, and better market their cattle. The private sector plays a tremendous role in the administration of these voluntary programs, and NCBA believes that private sector involvement and the resulting competitive market forces benefit producers while maintaining the objectives of the NAIS.
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NCBA Meets with Canadian Parliament
National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Burton Eller spoke to members of the Agriculture and Agrifood Committee of Canada's House of Commons today during a meeting today at the Canadian embassy. The discussions at the meeting focused on NAFTA, protectionism, and Country-of-Origin (COOL) labeling.
The Canadian delegation was in Washington to meet with their U.S. counterparts, including House Agriculture Committee Chairman Colin Peterson. The group was led by Larry Miller, beef producer and chairman of the Agriculture and Agrifood Committee and Rural Caucus.
Last month, Canada filed a World Trade Organization (WTO) complaint alleging that U.S. country-of-origin labeling (COOL) laws are inconsistent with WTO obligations.
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Don't miss NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen!
Don't miss NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen, June 9 - 13, as we take a look at the 2009 grazing outlook and hear from the experts about low-stress cattle handling practices. We'll also visit this year's National Western Stock Show and check in with Baxter Black for his latest wit and wisdom!
NCBA'S Cattlemen to Cattlemen is now an hour long! The show debuts Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. and airs again Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m. (All times are Eastern). Don't forget, you can watch NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen online anytime by visiting www.CattlemenToCattlemen.org
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NATIONAL CATTLEMEN'S BEEF ASSOCIATION
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20004 | |
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