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NCBA Fighting Against Interests of U.S. Cattle
Producers Washington, D.C. (July 17, 2008) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is once again working against the interests of independent U.S. cattle producers, and, is yet again, misrepresenting that it represents more cattle producers than it has members – by claiming to represent 250,000 cattle producers. In a July 16 memo, NCBA asks Congress to “vote NO on the Johnson amendment in regards to Argentina and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)…,” yet goes on to say “…Like Senator Johnson, NCBA feels that further opening of the beef trade with Argentina will put our industry at risk to FMD, the one disease feared most by cattle producers.” “If this wasn’t so serious, it would be a comedy of errors,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard. “NCBA continues with the mantra ‘We need to treat our trading partners the way we ask them to treat us.’ Common sense forces one to face the fact that if FMD is introduced into the United States, we won’t have any trading partners.” Instead of passing this important legislation, NCBA proposes that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) complete an “updated and thorough risk analysis before they move forward with the rule…” and only after that task is complete and shows Argentine livestock is safe should USDA even consider moving forward. “There’s one huge problem with trusting USDA to do that, and it’s that the agency has a history of not properly protecting the U.S. cattle herd and U.S. consumers against the introduction of foreign animal diseases,” Bullard pointed out. “USDA’s own Inspector General just released a report this week that shows for years USDA has been allowing into the U.S. unauthorized cattle from Canada and Mexico, many of which were never inspected at all, the result being that some unhealthy and diseased cattle made their way into the U.S. cattle herd. That’s absolutely unacceptable. “For years, because of NCBA’s and USDA’s strong relationships with the multinational packers, the agenda has been to promote free trade at all costs, and to not worry about the prevention of foreign animal disease,” he continued. “Instead, these multinational corporations who have considerable influence over NCBA and USDA have cavalierly adopted the attitude of believing they have the ability to manage any animal diseases upon arrival in the United States. FMD devastated the cattle industry in the United Kingdom in 2001. The last time FMD was in the U.S. was 1929. “You just don’t intentionally invite trouble into your house, and that’s exactly what will happen if we don’t prevent the introduction of FMD while we have the chance,” Bullard asserted. “Congress must pass this legislation or our industry could be unnecessarily exposed to disastrous consequences.” R-CALF USA encourages cattle producers and consumers to immediately call their U.S. Senators and urge them to vote YES on the Foot and Mouth Disease Prevention Act of 2008 introduced by Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., and Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo. Note: To view NCBA’s memo, visit the “Animal Health” link at www.r-calfusa.com, or contact R-CALF USA Communications Coordinator Shae Dodson to request a copy. # # # R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on trade and marketing issues. Members are located across 47 states and are primarily cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and/or feedlot owners. R-CALF USA has dozens of affiliate organizations and various main-street businesses are associate members. For more information, visit www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516. |
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This page was last updated on Wednesday, December 24, 2008. |
