NCBA is clearly going on the offense with the current Congress being in conservative hands. The group met in San Diego, CA, a couple weeks ago for their midyear Summer Business Meeting and began crafting new policy. They will craft policy to bring to the annual meeting in February 2024.
Everyone was in a good mood because cattle markets are at record levels, and they are making some money. The committees are focused on their issues and the issues affecting the cattle business. They had a lot to talk about, and the live cattle marketing meeting was uneventful.
One of the big issues was cultured meat, which has been approved for commercial consumption by USDA and may have the ability to affect the meat producing industry. NCBA wants to make sure that the product is properly labeled, and consumers are aware of the product’s origin.
The cultured meat industry would prefer to have the Food and Drug Administration inspect their product because they have a looser standard. NCBA would like to see the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service involved in inspecting their product on a daily basis, just like any animal slaughter facility. Their logic is if they use the same cells, they are subject to the same pathogens.
Todd Wilkinson, president of NCBA, said, “Cattle producers are not afraid of a little competition, and I know that consumers will continue choosing real high-quality beef over cell-cultured imitations. Our priority is ensuring that consumers accurately know the difference between real beef and cell-cultured products through transparent and accurate labeling. We have already been successful at engaging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct robust inspections and oversight to protect food safety.” Wilkinson believes that the industry must get this project done in the next two years.
The House Committee on Natural Resources has been busy defending the livestock industry by passing several resolutions regarding the Endangered Species Act (ESA). These resolutions have passed in the Senate and the House and will be waiting for President Joe Biden’s signature; my guess is he will not sign the bill.
S.J. Res. 9 would nullify the lesser prairie chicken listing. This listing is extremely concerning because it grants non-government third parties the ability to review cattle producers’ grazing management plans, according to the Public Lands Council (PLC). The group also said the lesser prairie chicken also only survives due to producers’ conservation investments, and this rule fails to consider how livestock production supports the birds’ habitat.
S.J. Res. 24 would nullify the northern long-eared bat listing. The northern long-eared bat is declining due to white nose syndrome, a naturally occurring disease that is not caused by human activity, PLC said. This listing disrupts cattle producers’ ability to effectively manage their land.
NCBA is tired of defending the Beef Checkoff and is totally opposed to the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act, which will change how the checkoff is administered. This legislation has been supported by HSUS, ASPCA and other animal activist groups. The checkoff has transformed the beef industry over the past 30 years. Beef demand was terrible in the 1980s and programs like the National Beef Quality Audit have improved beef demand, along with many other programs under checkoff management. Wilkinson said that for every dollar I invest in the checkoff I get $12 back.
Wilkinson also said, “Groups like Farm Action also have no business claiming to represent America’s farmers and ranchers. Their leaders, including Angela Huffman and Joe Maxwell, are career animal rights activists who have spent years attacking animal agriculture. In fact, the Animal Agriculture Alliance just added Farm Action, and other groups like the Organization for Competitive Markets to their Animal Rights Extremism list. Members of Congress should listen to the folks who are raising cattle and keeping our nation fed, not animal rights extremists hiding behind an organization that falsely claims to represent the interests of farmers and ranchers.”
The list of federal agency issues facing livestock producers is becoming very long—so long it’s hard to stay on top of them all. The Biden administration and his activist cabinet have been working hard to disrupt your lives through their misguided policy. After the House of Representatives turned conservative in the last election, we’ve seen the administration hit a log jam. And you can thank NCBA staff for getting some things done; most of the staff has their heart in the cattle business. This last meeting in San Diego was well attended, with over 500 folks showing up. And I was glad I could make it for a day and see my old friends. — PETE CROW
