September 30, 2008 |
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USCA Lauds Senator Tester's Beef Checkoff Modernization Act |
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| Contact: Jess Peterson 202/870-3867 or Leo McDonnell 406/322-5597 - Email: usca@uscattlemen.org | |
| USCA (September 30, 2008) - The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) today hailed Senator Jon Tester’s (D-MT) introduction of the Beef Checkoff Modernization Act in the U.S. Senate. Tester held a press conference today in Billings to outline his legislation. USCA member Mike Karrells, Terry, MT and USCA Director Emeritus Leo McDonnell, Columbus, MT represented the organization during the press conference. Senator Tester’s bill will amend the Beef Act to allow the promotion of beef born and raised exclusively in the U.S., allow the establishment of an importers qualified beef council to promote non-domestic beef, and it will establish new referendum requirements that will give producers more control over the program. "Senator Tester's introduction of The Beef Checkoff Modernization Act is perfect timing for country of origin labeling (COOL)," said McDonnell. "This is common sense legislation that increases U.S. cattle producers' efforts to market U.S. beef and strengthens the role of producers in the Beef Checkoff. This bill was a concept championed by the late Jim Hanna who worked tirelessly on this issue. On behalf of cattle producers from across the country I thank Senator Tester for his leadership in advancing a bill that enhances the profitability of the U.S. cattle industry." USCA has led a nation wide effort to seek congressional amendments that will update and modernize the 1985 Beef Research and Information Act. The USCA Beef Checkoff effort was initiated and chaired by the late Jim Hanna, Brownlee, Nebraska, whose work included a nation wide campaign allowing cattle producers to sign a letter to Congress seeking specific updates to the current law. "Senator Tester’s bill addresses key provisions of the original Beef Act reflecting the wishes of an overwhelming majority of U.S. cattle producers evidenced in survey after survey," said Jon Wooster, USCA President, San Lucas, Calif. "The Beef Research and Information Act is more than 20 years old. USCA recognizes that it is time to modernize the law to fit a rapidly evolving industry. The country of origin labeling law will be implemented on October 1, increasing the need for a marketing program that supports domestically born and raised beef. This bill paves the way for that to happen. We thank Senator Tester for his diligent hard work and attention to this issue." Specifically, the bill directs at least thirty percent of funds derived from beef checkoff assessments be made available for the promotion and marketing of products derived from cattle exclusively born and raised in the U.S. and also directs that a certain percentage of funds be authorized for use by the importers qualified beef council to promote products derived from cattle not born and raised in the U.S. Further, the bill calls for a periodic producer referendum on the beef checkoff, beginning in 2010, to determine whether cattle producers favor termination or suspension of the program. The bill also provides for any future changes to the program to be voted on by referendum and approved by a majority of producers, including any increase in the assessment. "Senator Tester’s bill fulfills most of the changes cattle producers are seeking to their checkoff program," noted Wooster. "Achieving specific enhancements to the Beef Checkoff is a core mission of USCA, and we are investing our resources in that effort. The impetus for Senator Tester's legislation began with Jim Hanna and his work on the USCA Beef Checkoff Committee. His little-publicized work behind the scenes on Capitol Hill for cattle producers has culminated in this important legislation and we look forward to shepherding it through Congress." |
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