Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns: November 6, 2003

The 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 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

Country-of-Origin Labeling:

The U.S. Senate spent this afternoon debating the mandatory country of origin labeling legislation included in the 2002 Farm Bill. This came about during the debate on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill. At around 7:00pm tonight, the Senate passed a "Sense of the Senate" resolution which asks that funding be provided for mandatory country-of-origin labeling implementation. The resolution was brought forth by Senators Tom Daschle (D-SD) and Tim Johnson (D-SD). The issue will now be debated in a Senate conference committee. The NCBA maintains that with modifications, the program could become more beneficial for producers.

Cattle producers are encouraged to review the proposed mandatory country-of-origin rule and submit comments via e-mail to cool@usda.gov or send by mail to Country of Origin Labeling Program; USDA Agricultural Marketing Service; 1400 Independence Ave., SW Stop 0249; Washington, D.C. 20250-0249, no later than Dec. 29, 2003. The proposed rule and USDA news release can be accessed on the USDA web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov.

Animal ID:

NCBA, state affiliates and other industry partners within the Bovine Species Group met today in Denver to discuss the necessary next steps in the development of a national animal identification plan. The primary objective of the proposed U.S. Animal Identification Plan (USAIP) is to enhance our existing animal disease surveillance and monitoring systems, and to facilitate our ability to trace animals in the event of a reportable animal health incident.

NCBA CEO Terry Stokes says the main focus of our efforts to develop a national animal identification plan is to help protect the health of the U.S. cattle herd.  This is important to maintain consumer confidence, international trade opportunities, and producer profitability.  We must, however, make sure the final plan does not damage the viability of cow/calf producers regardless of size.  Meeting these goals will require an industry-inclusive partnership with all sectors of the cattle industry, and with state organizations playing a key role. 

In today’s meeting, attendees established working groups to address questions related to identification systems standards, budget needs, protecting producer confidentiality, and the government’s role in providing oversight. The groups will continue to meet on an on-going basis and will provide input and detailed reports in the spring.

Canadian Trade:

The proper science-based solution to the issue of reopening the border with Canada is of ultimate importance to NCBA. NCBA has been in close consultation with the USDA, the Food and Drug Administration, the World Organization for Animal Health (called OIE), and other experts on Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).  We have carefully reviewed the situation and made recommendations to the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.  The OIE sets standards as recommendations for member countries to use to manage the human and animal health risks associated with BSE. 

We also applaud the USDA for further consultation with the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis to conduct a risk assessment after the finding of a single case of BSE in Canada.  NCBA expects that any decision to reopen the border will be science-based, in accordance with international recommendations from the OIE, and in consultation with the findings from the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis.  NCBA is currently analyzing the proposed rule from the USDA and will comment accordingly.

We continue to insist that science-based standards be used in the adoption of rules that would allow the reopening of the border. Science based decisions today will allow us to create global relationships based on science rather than rhetoric.  The USDA and the U.S. cattle industry will to continue to show global leadership on this issue, to follow the standards set by the OIE, and encourage other countries to do the same. 

Producers- Send Your Comments:

Cattle producers are encouraged to comment on the proposed rule regarding the process to import live cattle from Canada, which came out this Tuesday, November 4. This proposed rule is an important step in the rule-making process towards resuming trade; and your comments can be submitted until Jan. 5, 2004. Comments may be submitted to regulations@aphis.usda.gov. For more info, visit http://www.aphis.usda.gov/.

Emergency Programs:

NCBA submitted comments this week on "Cost-Sharing for Animal and Plant Health Emergency Programs" to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The comments are in response to a proposed rule that addresses how the industry and the government would work together in the event of a national emergency and to deal effectively with other situations.  The government is proposing that industry groups share the expenses in funding emergency programs. NCBA believes that USDA and OMB should withdraw this proposal, as it is flawed. This proposal is clearly budget driven rather than disease control and eradication driven. We are respectfully requesting that USDA APHIS withdrawal this proposed rule and in its place host a public meeting were all impacted parties can discuss the need for the federal government to design and implement a cost effective animal health emergency and animal disease compensation policy that will ensure an efficient, rapid, uninhibited and successful federal, state and producer response. 

Tax Issues: 

NCBA attended a meeting at the U.S. Department of the Treasury today on jobs, growth, and the abolition of the onerous Death Tax.  Treasury Secretary John W. Snow reiterated that the Bush Administration fully dedicated to pushing for permanent repeal of the death tax, noting it was one of his top priorities. Top-ranking officials, economists, and advisors participated in panel discussions on the economics of the Death Tax. NCBA will continue to fight for permanent repeal of this immoral tax, which is hurting threatening the future of family cattle operations across the country.

Healthy Forests:

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives named conferees for HR 1904, the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003.  The House named Resources Committee members Chairman Richard W. Pombo (R-CA), Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), Rep. Scott McInnis (R-CO) and Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ) as conferees.  At a news conference this afternoon, Resources Committee Chairman Pombo and Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte urged the Senate to appoint conferees immediately in order to move forward with negotiations; the Senate has been hesitant to appoint conferees, in an attempt to block House-Senate conference on the bill.  NCBA and the Public Lands Council (PLC) have long supported, and urge the quick passage of, the bill which will enhance the condition of public grazing lands and better protect the homes, farms, ranches and communities on adjacent private lands.  The bill will provide land managers with the necessary tools and programs to better care for and protect forests and rangelands from threats such as wildfire, disease, insects, and invasive weeds.

More Export Markets for Cattlemen: 
NCBA’s Chief Economist Gregg Doud is attending this week’s U.S. Meat Export Federation's (USMEF) Board of Directors Strategic Planning & Marketing Conference in Tucson, Arizona. Doud will speak to attendees on the importance of increasing market access opportunities for U.S. cattle producers. It is imperative that we continue to increase export market opportunities for our products, as 96% of the world’s population lives outside the U.S.

Dominican Republic Trade:
The Administration plans to integrate the Dominican Republic into the free trade agreement being negotiated between the U.S. and five nations in Central America. This could open export market opportunities for U.S. cattle producers. NCBA and the U.S. Meat Export Federation submitted joint comments to USTR regarding initiation of free trade negotiations with the Dominican Republic earlier this week.

The Dominican Republic is the largest economy in the Caribbean. For cattle producers, the Dominican Republic, would offer export opportunities for high quality fresh/chilled and frozen beef sold to the hotel and restaurant industry.  Cuts such as rounds, chuck, and trim present opportunities for export into the retail and manufacturing sector.  Consumers in the Dominican Republic also purchase a significant amount of processed product. Consumers perceive U.S. beef to be high quality, which is an advantage for U.S. beef in this market. Currently, trade barriers in the form of high duties, non-tariff barriers, and slow or non-issuance of import licenses limit U.S. beef exports.   Many import permitting issues must be addressed before a free trade agreement is signed. We will continue to make recommendations to the U.S. government on this possible export market opportunity for U.S. cattlemen.

Cloning: 

NCBA attended a public meeting of FDA's Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee (VMAC) this Tuesday November 4, where officials discussed the scientific evidence regarding the safety of food products derived from animal clones.  The FDA released a draft executive summary on this issue last week.  The FDA’s risk assessment builds on the findings of the National Academy of Sciences and indicates that food products derived from animal clones and their offspring are likely to be as safe to eat as food from their non-clone counterparts, based on all the evidence available.

Animal Drugs:
The House passed another version of the Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA, H.R. 1260) this week.  We are waiting for Senate action, and once it passes in the Senate it will go to the President for his signature. NCBA has supported the legislation which will facilitate an expedited review and approval process for animal drugs. 

Food Safety:

NCBA’s Associate Director of Food Policy Leah Wilkinson will be speaking on an executive panel discussion on Food Safety issues at the 2003 Agriculture Future of America Leaders Conference on Friday November 7, 2003 in Kansas City.  This conference, titled "Embrace Opportunity, Advance Innovation," is an educational opportunity for college age men and women pursuing degrees in the agriculture/food industry. Another example of NCBA leading food safety efforts to support cattle producers across the country.

Cattlemen Swap Jobs with Wildlife Workers: 

Cattle producers from various regions across the country are continuing to sign up for the innovative "Walk a Mile in My Boots" program, which gives U.S. cattlemen and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees an opportunity to conduct a job-exchange. No more complaints that the local biologist does not understand life on the ranch! Get involved! New applications for the program continue to arrive, this week new arrangements were made for ‘career-swaps’ in Texas, California, and Nebraska. Go to http://walkamile.fws.fov for more information.

Endangered Species: 
NCBA and the Public Lands Council, along with other industry partners, met with agency officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Department of Interior this week to discuss Endangered Species issues.  Items on the agenda included the Defenders of Wildlife grey wolf lawsuit, the Mountain Plover notice of intent to sue, and Sage Grouse.  NCBA continues to fight for the rights of cattle producers on this controversial issue.

Oregon Meeting: 
Jeff Eisenberg, our director of federal lands and Public Lands Council director, will be speaking at the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association & Oregon Cattlewomen’s Annual Convention & Trade Show in Redmond on Friday, November 7.  Eisenberg will be focusing on Public Lands issues such as grazing permit renewal, monitoring, and ESA issues such as Sage Grouse and grey wolf.

Congressman Visits DC office:
NCBA hosted a meeting with agriculture industry representatives and Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) today.  Representing Missouri’s 6th district, Graves is a sixth-generation, full-time, family farmer, and works to protect the interests of America’s small businesses and rural communities. He serves on the Agriculture, Small Business, and Transportation Committees, and he chairs the Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture, and Technology.  In addition, he is also a member of House Leadership as Deputy Whip.

Media Contact:

Tanya Augustson or Karen Batra at 202-347-0228 taugustson@beef.org or kbatra@beef.org

This publication is funded by cattle producers and other industry supporters through their voluntary membership contributions to NCBA. To join the tens of thousands of cattle producers from across the U.S. in working to preserve our legacy, contact NCBA Member Services at 1-866-BEEF-USA or Membership@beef.org.

Please feel free to reprint in full.