A bi-partisan House bill - HR 4341 - would confirm that Congress never intended to regulate animal manure under Superfund regulations. The measure already has 150 House co-sponsors. Jay Truitt, vice president of government affairs for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association - says the bill is just a matter of common sense.

Cut #1                          :29                        Outcue... "there's a difference."

Truitt says pending litigation on the issue threatens producers - and makes it critically important that Congress acts on the bill this year.

Cut #2                          :36                        Outcue... "on their behalf."

Truitt says cattlemen have no wish to avoid animal waste regulations. But he points out manure is already extensively regulated under the Clean Water Act and other federal and state environmental laws.

And according to Truitt - if Congress doesn't pass HR 4341 before the November elections - the bill could move during a late-year lame duck session.

Cut #3                          :24                        Outcue... "at that point."

In the meantime - Truitt says all ag producers should contact lawmakers and tell them to pass HR 4341. Otherwise, farms and ranches across the country could end being up designated as toxic waste sites.