More than 600 cattlemen and women were part of the conversation on policy priorities for their industry during the recently completed Cattle Industry Summer Conference. The meeting in Denver, Colorado, addressed expiring policies and discussed proposed policy brought forward from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s state affiliates.
“The Cattle Industry Summer Conference is the time when our producer members are able to gather and tackle the business of the association,” said [Philip Ellis, NCBA President and Chugwater, Wyoming, cattleman]. “From continuing and renewing current and expiring policy, to discussing and passing policy to tackle the upcoming and emerging issues, this is our chance to work together to ensure NCBA remains on the forefront representing our membership.”
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans process continues with Congressional oversight. NCBA members remain committed to working with the administration and Congress to ensure the final guidelines reflect the highest quality science and the role of lean beef in a healthy diet.
The EPA has finalized their “waters of the United States” rule, and NCBA’s membership stands firmly opposed to this land grab by the administration. NCBA continues to work with Congress to rein in the administration’s regulatory onslaught and has joined with other land use groups in litigation again the agency.
NCBA members continue their strong support of trade, which adds value to our cattle and returns over $350 for each head of cattle sold. With the passage of Trade Promotion Authority, NCBA supports finalization and passage of the Trans Pacific Partnership and other pending free trade agreements. With preferential trade agreements currently in place, and other countries actively negotiating, the United States cannot afford to fall behind in this critical area. While COOL has for many years been a cost to the industry without benefit to producers or consumers, the NCBA urges the Senate to act quickly in passing repeal language, following the strong bi-partisan action in the House.
NCBA says it will continue working on the federal government’s import rules for Northern Argentina and a region in Brazil to ensure the proper process is followed before allowing inspection and exports from these areas with a history of Foot-and-Mouth Disease. The group also will work the state and federal governments to ensure multiple use on public grazing lands.