STRONG POLICY TO SUPPORT AND ADVANCE PRODUCER AGENDA

WASHINGTON (August 15, 2001) – Policies designed to support and advance the beef industry in the areas of cattle health and well being, cattle marketing, environment and conservation, and beef safety were developed last week during the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) meeting at the 2001 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver, Colo.

Property Rights and Environmental Management Committee

A new recommendation from the Property Rights and Environmental Management Committee declares that “outrage” is not dead when dealing with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Proclaiming that the implementation of the ESA has created a national crisis, the committee directed NCBA to “work tirelessly with all possible passion,” to accomplish a variety of objectives all designed to mend the unsuccessful ESA. This committee also passed a recommendation to seek focused amendments to the ESA, calling for an economic impact analysis and a scientific peer review of all decisions stemming from ESA.

Agriculture Policy Committee

The Agriculture Policy Committee developed new policy on alternative fuels. As passed, the committee resolution supports the development of programs that enhance the production of biodiesel and the inclusion of animals fats, greases and recovered cooking oils in programs for the promotion and production of biodiesel.

This committee also amended its policy on Conservation Reserve Programs (CRP), to clarify that in all instances of grazing on lands enrolled in CRP, continuous sign-up CRP or Conservation Reserve Enhancement Programs (CREP), the payment should be reduced by the value of the forage grazed.

Cattle Health and Well Being Committee

NCBA’s Cattle Health and Well Being Committee developed new policy intended to advance the effort to allow year-around access of U.S. feeder cattle in Canada. The new policy, developed after lengthy discussion, allows NCBA to pursue action of an international trade violation against the Canadians when they deny U.S. cattle in Canadian feedlots and offer no scientific justification for doing so.

Tax and Credit Committee

The Tax and Credit Committee developed new policy that will allow the Committee to petition Congress to immediately amend the Tax Relief Act of 2001 to make repeal of the “Death Tax,” a burdensome tax on family farms and ranches, permanent.

In it’s current form, the Tax Relief Act of 2001 eliminates all estate taxes in 2010. However, the legislation requires a renewal and another vote by houses of Congress in 2011 to reinstate it.

Beef Safety Committee

Policy was amended in the Beef Safety Committee to address the practice of using poultry litter in cattle feed. The previous policy on alternative feedstuffs encouraged cattle producers to seek alternatives to poultry litter in feed. The amended policy states that the practice is negatively perceived by consumers and, though it is safe, it should be discouraged.

NCBA plans to implement these policies immediately and aggressively in an effort to build on recent successes and pursue new goals.

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Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the trade association of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.