The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has based its priorities for the year on the tumultuous year of 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic, retaliatory trade tariffs, and unstable market conditions made 2020 a difficult year for producers, on top of unpredictable weather and less-than-ideal precipitation levels.
“There is no doubt the past year has been difficult for cattle producers and it’s crucial that we work to implement sound policy and focus our attention on the legislative and regulatory areas that will give U.S. cattle producers the most added value,” said recently elected NCBA President Jerry Bohn. “I am looking forward to collaborating with volunteer leadership, state affiliates and stakeholders across the country to tackle the most pressing issues facing our industry.”
NCBA has laid out five main objectives to “advocate for a business climate which increases opportunities for producer profitability across the board.” The objectives are:
• Ongoing COVID-19 recovery;
• Improving the business climate;
• Climate, environment and sustainability policy;
• Trade and market access; and
• Continuity on regulatory action.
“This framework of policy priorities is one of the most important documents approved each year. It provides direction to our staff guidance for meeting the needs of our members,” Bohn said.
“The focus on improving the business climate for producers hits especially close to home for me, because I was born into the cattle business and I want to do my part, defending our industry and legacy—not just for the multi-generational producers, but also newer producers that might only have a few calving seasons or sale barn trips under their belts.”
COVID-19 recovery —NCBA plans to continue protecting workers in the cattle and beef industry and ensure food security by strengthening the beef supply plan. The group also intends to “Apply the lessons learned during this pandemic to build a stronger, more resilient, and more profitable future for producers.”
Improving the business climate —Marketing opportunities are one of the biggest factors NCBA is considering for improving profitability for producers. This includes the competitiveness of plant-based alternatives, and NCBA wants to see that all products are held to fair and equal standards and labeled in a truthful manner.
The group would also like to see the expansion of voluntary origin and value-added opportunities that “deliver value back to the producer segment and curtail non-verified blanket origin claims that fail to meet consumer expectations.”
NCBA intends to enhance price discovery and transparency in the cattle market while also bolstering available risk management tools.
Finally, NCBA is prioritizing improving rural infrastructure, especially the expansion of rural broadband access.
Climate, environment and sustainability policy —NCBA has emphasized its willingness to work closely with Congress and the new administrationto stress the positive and sustainable role the cattle industry has on the environment. This includes stressing producers’ commitments to environmental stewardship and sustainability. The organization plans to do this by promoting resilient natural resources through voluntary conservation and science-based management; and protecting the U.S.’ rangeland and natural resources through scientifically proven fuel reduction techniques and promoting livestock as a grazing tool.
Trade and market access —NCBA has also stressed the importance of removing tariff and non-tariff barriers in order to promote U.S. cattle and beef to global markets.
Ensure continuity on regulatory action — Finally, perhaps of greatest concern for producers during the Biden administration, is regulatory framework that promotes stability and continuity. NCBA plans to engage in ongoing regulatory policy to “ensure good policy for the new administration” on several key policies, including: traceability; the Endangered Species Act; the National Environmental Policy Act; grazing regulations; Navigable Waters Protection Rule; electronic logging devices and hours-of-service rules; delisting recovered species; and antimicrobial stewardship and food safety. — Anna Miller, WLJ editor
