Contact:  Jess Peterson 202/870-3867
Email: usca@uscattlemen.org

USCA worked extensively in the U.S. Senate to ensure the bill included a livestock title that mandates a ban on packer ownership and establishment of an Office of Special Counsel along with voluntary arbitration clauses. The legislation also includes language requiring the implementation of country of origin labeling (COOL) as well as support for interstate shipment of meat, two provisions USCA helped shepherd through the Senate process.

"While cattle producers are very disappointed in the defeat of the Tester-Grassley Amendment that would have limited meat packers’ claims of ‘business justification’ when restraining commerce or manipulating markets, the industry experienced great success in persuading Senators they are serious about competition reform," noted Jess Peterson, USCA Director of Government Affairs. "Inclusion of the Livestock Title in 2007 farm policy is a big step towards that goal. We commend the Senate for moving farm policy forward in the legislative process, and we thank Senators for preserving critical language supporting the implementation of COOL."

A House-Senate Conference Committee will meet to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the 2007 Farm Bill before the final draft is signed into law.

Peterson said cattle producers must remain engaged in the process and warned that resistance to the packer ownership ban during the conference process can be expected. "The meat packing lobby has already indicated it will specifically oppose the ban on packer ownership provision, and they will apply significant pressure to conferees. We must stay the course and let the conferees know what the majority of live cattle producers want and expect. The industry is very fortunate to have an actively engaged constituency that speaks reasonably and forcefully. We are on the cusp of a great victory. Now is the time to make contact with your elected officials encouraging them to keep vital provisions like the Livestock Title intact."

Established in March 2007, USCA is committed to assembling a team to concentrate efforts in Washington D.C. to enhance and expand the cattle industry's voice on Capitol Hill. For membership forms and other information visit www.uscattlemen.org.