June 12, 2009

U.S. Cattlemen’s Supports Congressional Move to Zero Out Funds For Animal I.D.

 

USCA (June 12, 2009) - Today the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) applauded action by the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcomittee to cut funding for the proposed National Animal Identification System (NAIS). On a voice vote, the subcommittee agreed to essentially zero-out funding for the program.

USCA President Jon Wooster, San Lucas, CA remarked, "The proposed system has been examined by all the affected parties. After federal expenditures of $142 million since 2004 only one-third of the animal premises across the nation have enrolled in the program, sending a strong message that livestock producers do not support the proposed program. The House subcommittee vote is a signal that Congress is listening to producers."

"A recently released economic analysis of NAIS showed that the cattle industry would bear significant costs associated with the program, putting the cattle and beef industry at a disadvantage with competing protein sources," continued Wooster. "During NAIS listening sessions being held across the nation, producers have echoed similar concerns about a federally mandated program that would add more economic burden to their operations."

Wooster continued, "USCA has worked diligently with Congress and Administration officials to represent producer interests on this matter in a reasonable and respectful manner, investing countless resources to do so. In doing so, USCA was successful in keeping the program voluntary while urging officials to develop a standardized system that would reward producers for providing origin, age and animal husbandry practices. If producers unify and support USCA in its efforts to quash federal funding for the NAIS program, we will succeed in defeating, once and for all, this proposed system of animal identification. We will all be better off if such funding is used to integrate existing systems within various states."

"This is a truly significant step by Congress," added Wooster. "Just this week USCA representatives were working on Capitol Hill towards this outcome. We are pleased with this result and will continue to work to see that funding is withheld so the proposed system cannot be implemented."
 

Established in March 2007, USCA is committed to concentrating its efforts in Washington, DC to enhance and expand the cattle industry’s voice on Capitol Hill. USCA has a full-time presence in Washington, giving cattle producers across the country a strong influence on policy development. For more information go to www.uscattlemen.org.