WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 14, 1999) – U.S. Senate approval of mandatory price reporting and emergency disaster relief are measures that are expected to bolster the improved cattle market outlook and increase market information for cattle producers, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) said today.
The U.S. Senate approved the measures as part of the $69 billion agriculture appropriations conference report on a 74-26 vote. The House approved the package on October 1, so it now will be sent to the president. He is expected to sign the bill.
"Cattlemen and women know that hard work pays off out in cow country, so it's good to see that our efforts have an impact in Washington, D.C. too," said NCBA President George Swan, a cattle producer from Rogerson, Idaho. "The price reporting program that the bill directs USDA to implement is a solid reflection of the policy established by our producers."
Emergency disaster relief consists of $8.7 billion provided for farmers and ranchers, including cattle producers. Of those dollars, $200 million is provided for livestock feed assistance to cover the added cost of feed and forage due to range and pasture losses as well as another $200 million for livestock producers in counties that received a disaster declaration.
"This disaster assistance comes just in time to help those cattle producers who are struggling due to extreme weather this year in certain regions of the country," Swan said.
The agricultural appropriations conference report also includes critical funding for food safety research, which could be used for programs such as research on E. coli O157:H7. Other dollars cover programs for meat inspection, emerging disease research, conservation, cattle health, trade and market information. In addition, one section of the package directs the Secretary of Agriculture to clarify through regulations the definition of U.S. beef. This provision will assist NCBA efforts to build momentum toward beef labeling.
The mandatory price reporting section requires federally-inspected packers that slaughter 125,000 head or more annually to file daily reports on price, volume and terms of trade when established or settled. For example, a producer selling on a formula utilizing an average of weekly prices would have the volume and terms of trade reported the day those cattle are committed to the packer, with the price reported for those cattle the day it is established. The price reporting system includes reporting of information on imports, exports and boxed beef.
-- NCBA --