August 25, 2009 |
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USCA Completes Third Fly-In |
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| Contact: Jess Peterson 202/870-3867 - usca@uscattlemen.org | |
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| USCA (August 25, 2009) – Members of the U.S. Cattlemen's Association (USCA) recently completed a third fly-in as they wrapped up a successful round of meetings in Washington, D.C. Participants included USCA Region V Director Chuck Kiker (Beaumont, Texas), Karen Yost, (Billings, Montana), and Tony Belcourt (Box Elder, Montana). The delegation spent time in meetings with the Obama Administration along with House and Senate offices. Topics discussed in the meetings included USCA’s concern with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed ruling that lists greenhouse gases as an endangerment to public health and welfare; recently filed comments with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) concerning the WTO challenge brought by Canada and Mexico against the U.S. country of origin law (COOL); as well as USCA’s support for the Beef Checkoff Modernization Act and concerns regarding Congressional movement to mandate the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). “This was yet another positive USCA fly-in,” noted Chuck Kiker. “We were particularly appreciative of the work by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to publish and implement the permanent disasters provisions for the 2008 Farm Bill. With regard to COOL, it was great to hear that USDA, the USTR and Congress are engaged in a strong defense of the COOL at the WTO level. USCA believes the current COOL law is right in line with WTO policy and the comments we provided in these meetings proved it. Now is the time when we need to be engaged to ensure COOL remains as a law and unhindered by this baseless WTO challenge,” concluded Kiker. “For the first time ever the EPA has listed greenhouse gases as an endangerment to public health and welfare,” commented Karen Yost. “If this ruling is finalized as currently written, the EPA will be required to regulate naturally occurring carbon, methane, and four other greenhouse gasses under section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act. This could expose farmers and ranchers to legal liability for greenhouse gas emissions, including naturally occurring methane expelled by livestock to the diesel that powers tractors and the petroleum byproducts in fertilizer. This will open the door to class action lawsuits against farmers and ranchers for any number of alleged health effects linked to global warming. It’s critical that USDA weighs in during the EPA’s interagency rulemaking process and ensures that agriculture is given a safe haven that protects against an onslaught of lawsuits. We received positive feedback from USDA on this issue, and we will remain in a dialogue with both EPA and USDA to ensure farmers and ranchers are protected on this issue,” stated Yost. “I am extremely pleased that Montana Senator Jon Tester has reintroduced the Beef Checkoff Modernization Act,” stated Tony Belcourt. “Promoting U.S. beef with Checkoff dollars is one the most proactive and smart business actions that we can take. It’s critical that additional Senators sign on and support this bill. Congress supports COOL; now we just need to advance the legislation and turn that support into using our hard-earned dollars to promote COOL,” noted Belcourt. “It was great to have these cattle industry leaders make the trip to Washington, D.C.,” stated USCA Executive Vice President, Jess Peterson. “Cattle producers have the opportunity to meet with their Senators and Representatives during the August recess. Members of Congress need to hear about the concerns regarding EPA emissions regulations, and that ranchers support COOL and the Beef Checkoff Modernization Act, along with the industry’s concerns regarding a mandatory NAIS. The talking points for these issues can be found at www.uscattlemen.org or USCA can send a hard copy if requested by calling 202-870-3867. Now is the time to make a difference in your state. Please check out the schedules and attend a town hall meeting,” concluded Peterson. Note: Delegation pictures can be found at www.uscattlemen.org |
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