 January 22, 2008 |
|
 |
|
| U.S. Cattlemen and ATFA Host Joint Press Conference on Argentina | |
Contact: Jess Peterson 202/870-3867 |
|
| USCA (January 22, 2008) - The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) and American Task Force Argentina (ATFA) today held a joint press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC to draw attention to issues surrounding Argentina. Argentina’s massive loan default and the country’s continuing problems with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), a highly infectious livestock illness, were the priority topics during the press conference. “Cattlemen from across the country are in Washington, DC today to voice our deep concern about Argentina’s staggering debt default and to express our opposition to a plan that could expose U.S. livestock and wildlife to FMD,” said Leo McDonnell, USCA’s Director Emeritus, Columbus, MT. McDonnell, a veteran of international trade issues, explained that Argentina’s massive loan default in 2001 - the largest in history - cost Americans more than $10 billion and served as an indirect subsidy that gives Argentine farmers and ranchers an unfair advantage in international markets. “This loan default proves that Argentina cannot be trusted to keep FMD from entering the U.S. if the proposed plan is approved,” he added. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently considering a plan to import animal products from selected regions in Argentina. The USCA has made blocking this plan one of its top legislative goals in 2008 and is calling on Congress to intervene. USCA has numerous meetings scheduled on Capitol Hill this week and the organization unveiled during the press conference a group letter to the House Agriculture Committee asking for an oversight hearing on the pending FMD proposal. “It would be impossible to protect America from an FMD outbreak under the proposed system,” said the more than thirty groups signing the letter, including the National Farmers Union (NFU). “Congress needs to intervene and fix this mess,” said McDonnell. “Congress should protect the domestic herd from FMD and should demand immediate payment of Argentina’s outstanding debts.” For more information about ATFA and for a complete list of its members, visit www.atfa.org. To learn more about USCA and the Argentina FMD issue, go to www.uscattlemen.org. |
|
|
|