 June 19, 2007 |
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U.S. Cattlemen’s Association Representatives Travel to Washington, DC |
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| San Lucas, Calif. (June 19, 2007) ~ A delegation of United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) members is in Washington D.C. for the organization’s first “USCA Washington D.C. Roundup”. Producer members and USCA directors from seven states are scheduled to meet with policy-makers, Congressional staffers and Administration officials to discuss the issues impacting the U.S. cattle industry. “USCA is focused on providing the cattle industry with effective representation in our nation’s capital,” says Interim President Jon Wooster, California. “As part of that mission, USCA is sending a delegation of producer members and USCA Directors to meet with decision makers on behalf of the organization.” Washington D.C. representative, Jess Peterson, says the timing for the Roundup is crucial. “The Farm Bill is progressing at lightning speed and now is the time when cattle producers need to be involved in the process,” says Peterson. “USCA delegates have scheduled meetings with leadership of the House and Senate Ag Committees as well as policy-makers and agency officials. These meetings will bring a producer prospective to the discussions happening on Capitol Hill regarding competition reform, country of origin labeling (COOL), beef checkoff reform and a host of other Farm Bill issues.” Peterson is also looking forward to escorting the delegates to several meetings with key Administration officials and their representatives. “While there is a lot of action happening on the Hill right now, it is also important for USCA members to meet with officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The re-opening of the comment period on the proposed COOL regulations, the proposed plan to import over-thirty-month (OTM) cattle from Canada and the recent OIE decision to classify the United States as a ‘controlled risk’ nation will all be discussed. Delegates will also have a chance to talk with USDA Animal ID Coordinator Neil Hammerschmidt, GIPSA Administrator James Link and AMS Deputy Undersecretary Burton Eller. I’m confident that these meetings will be beneficial to all parties involved.” For more information on the USCA Washington D.C. Roundup, view photos and read updates, visit www.uscattlemen.org beginning on the evening of Wednesday, June 20th. |
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