Oldtimer
Well-known member
February 28, 2006
Just Days After ‘D.C. Stampede’
Enthusiasm Still Soaring for West Coast Cattle Producers
(Billings, Mont.) – Just days have passed since more than 70 cattle producers from at least 20 different states traveled to Capitol Hill for a two-day blitz dubbed the “Washington Stampede” to talk with more than 100 Senators, Representatives and Administration officials about several issues important to the U.S. cattle industry.
Those topics of concern include: the implementation of Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (M-COOL); the upward harmonization of BSE standards; support of the “perishable and cyclical items” provision and inclusion of safeguards for cattle and beef in free trade agreements (FTAs); and a request of Congress to enforce and strengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA).
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns met with several R-CALF USA members, staff and leaders, as did several other U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials whose duties impact domestic cattle operations – namely USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the agency’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), as well as USDA’s Animal ID and Beef Checkoff Coordinators. R-CALF USA representatives also spent time with the administrator of USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), the chief agriculture negotiator at the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR’s) office, and highly placed officials in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
R-CALF USA Member Craig Grub, of Medical Lake, Wash., who also serves as a director for Cattle Producers of Washington (CPoW), an R-CALF USA affiliate organization, the time in Washington we well spent.
“We needed to educate our legislators and staffers about our concerns on topics such as Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (M-COOL), captive supply reform, international trade, and the proposed National Animal Identification System (NAIS),” Grub said. “The only way we can effect a change is to make our wishes known.
“Meeting with our legislators tells them we are committed in trying to make programs work in a constructive manner for the cow/calf producers in the U.S.,” he continued. “Unless we are making those contacts about programs that could adversely affect us, we can't complain that they are working against our interests. Our elected officials were happy to see us and, I believe, interested in our viewpoints. I was honored to represent the R-CALF members from Washington state.”
R-CALF USA National Membership Co-Chair Margene Eiguren, of Jordan Valley, Ore., said she emphasized in her meetings that free trade agreements have the potential to harm the U.S. cattle industry.
“That was one of the most important topics we shared, and is one in which R-CALF’s position is now better understood by the senators and representatives we met with,” said Eiguren. “R-CALF is not opposed to free trade, but we must ensure that U.S. cattle producers are protected in these agreements. Import standards – at any cost – cannot be sacrificed for trade.
“USDA’s Final Rule sets U.S. standards well below those of other countries and is making the U.S. a dumping ground for products no other countries will accept,” she continued. “That explains why the U.S. exported to Japan only boneless beef from animals 20 months of age and younger, while Japan is still exporting to the U.S. boneless beef from animals of any age. Import standards must be upwardly harmonized and be equitable, so that all countries can be protected from diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD).”
R-CALF USA Member Elaine Smith, of Prairie City, Ore., said she made the trip to discuss issues affecting the viability of her ranching business.
“I am extremely pleased with the overwhelming support – by the entire Oregon delegation – for Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (M-COOL), and I was happy to hear they share our frustration over the delay in implementation of M-COOL,” Smith noted. “They understand for U.S. cattle producers to be competitive, we must be able to differentiate our product in the marketplace, whether it’s the domestic or international market.
“From the reception we got, it is apparent that R-CALF is well known and respected on the Hill,” she said. “Our congressional representatives know that R-CALF USA represents U.S. cattle producers who are serious about protecting their businesses, their industry, their communities and their way of life. We realize that having a viable ranching business is not an entitlement, and that’s why we came to Washington D.C.”
R-CALF USA Members Richard and Susie Snedden, of Maricopa, Calif., said legislators and staff gave them a warm reception and it seemed they were glad to meet with people who actually make a living from cattle ranching.
“We were able to get more name recognition for R-CALF and we let them know that R-CALF is the only national trade organization to exclusively represent the interests of cattle producers,” said Susie Snedden. “We filled in the information gap, and those we met with expressed support for our goals and want to see U.S. cattle ranchers achieve viability and profitability in the face of increasing packer and retailer concentration, and in the face of an ultra-competitive global economy.”
At a wrap-up meeting after the two-day session, R-CALF USA President and Region V Director Chuck Kiker, of Beaumont, Texas, congratulated everyone on a job well done, and sincerely thanked them for pulling together to make the Stampede such a tremendous success.
“Your actions here have brought even more credibility to this organization, and folks, we’re going to build the cattle industry into something you can make a decent living doing,” Kiker said with a smile on his face and the gleam of optimism in his eyes. “We’re going to make sure your kids and grandkids can make a living ranching, if that’s what they want to do.
“We’d like to thank Secretary Johanns, as well as several under secretaries and staff, for listening to our concerns on various issues facing the cattle industry and their responsiveness to our thoughts on those issues,” Kiker said.
R-CALF USA Director of Government Relations Jess Peterson said throughout the two-day event, it was great to see all the cowboy hats on Capitol Hill, and he couldn’t thank the members of R-CALF USA enough, especially when they paid their own way to participate and had to be away from their ranches during this busy time of year.
“We had some really great meetings,” Peterson told R-CALF members. “These folks in Washington want to hear from you, so it’s important for us to keep sitting down with them to continue that dialogue, to let them know we’re here and what issues are important to our industry.”
R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard told members the Stampede was history in the making.
“What you have demonstrated during the Stampede is that there are real people whose lives are affected by the issues we’ve been bringing forward to Washington now for a number of years, and the synergy that develops from each and every one of the visits you made during these last two days will elevate the stature of these issues, and the people you spoke with will remember these meetings for a long time to come,” Bullard said. “What you’ve done is establish one solid foundation that we will continue to build upon throughout the year to advance these issues.
“We were here because you folks are sincere and committed about improving your industry and supporting what Congress is all about – and that’s the maintenance of a free enterprise system – a system that promotes and facilitates an open and competitive marketplace,” Bullard continued. “R-CALF USA members are the ones delivering that message, and it’s one powerful message.”
# # #
R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on domestic and international trade and marketing issues. R-CALF USA, a national, non-profit organization, is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA’s membership consists primarily of cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and feedlot owners. Its members – over 18,000 strong – are located in 47 states, and the organization has over 60 local and state association affiliates, from both cattle and farm organizations. Various main street businesses are associate members of R-CALF USA. For more information, visit http://www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.
Just Days After ‘D.C. Stampede’
Enthusiasm Still Soaring for West Coast Cattle Producers
(Billings, Mont.) – Just days have passed since more than 70 cattle producers from at least 20 different states traveled to Capitol Hill for a two-day blitz dubbed the “Washington Stampede” to talk with more than 100 Senators, Representatives and Administration officials about several issues important to the U.S. cattle industry.
Those topics of concern include: the implementation of Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (M-COOL); the upward harmonization of BSE standards; support of the “perishable and cyclical items” provision and inclusion of safeguards for cattle and beef in free trade agreements (FTAs); and a request of Congress to enforce and strengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA).
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns met with several R-CALF USA members, staff and leaders, as did several other U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials whose duties impact domestic cattle operations – namely USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the agency’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), as well as USDA’s Animal ID and Beef Checkoff Coordinators. R-CALF USA representatives also spent time with the administrator of USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), the chief agriculture negotiator at the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR’s) office, and highly placed officials in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
R-CALF USA Member Craig Grub, of Medical Lake, Wash., who also serves as a director for Cattle Producers of Washington (CPoW), an R-CALF USA affiliate organization, the time in Washington we well spent.
“We needed to educate our legislators and staffers about our concerns on topics such as Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (M-COOL), captive supply reform, international trade, and the proposed National Animal Identification System (NAIS),” Grub said. “The only way we can effect a change is to make our wishes known.
“Meeting with our legislators tells them we are committed in trying to make programs work in a constructive manner for the cow/calf producers in the U.S.,” he continued. “Unless we are making those contacts about programs that could adversely affect us, we can't complain that they are working against our interests. Our elected officials were happy to see us and, I believe, interested in our viewpoints. I was honored to represent the R-CALF members from Washington state.”
R-CALF USA National Membership Co-Chair Margene Eiguren, of Jordan Valley, Ore., said she emphasized in her meetings that free trade agreements have the potential to harm the U.S. cattle industry.
“That was one of the most important topics we shared, and is one in which R-CALF’s position is now better understood by the senators and representatives we met with,” said Eiguren. “R-CALF is not opposed to free trade, but we must ensure that U.S. cattle producers are protected in these agreements. Import standards – at any cost – cannot be sacrificed for trade.
“USDA’s Final Rule sets U.S. standards well below those of other countries and is making the U.S. a dumping ground for products no other countries will accept,” she continued. “That explains why the U.S. exported to Japan only boneless beef from animals 20 months of age and younger, while Japan is still exporting to the U.S. boneless beef from animals of any age. Import standards must be upwardly harmonized and be equitable, so that all countries can be protected from diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD).”
R-CALF USA Member Elaine Smith, of Prairie City, Ore., said she made the trip to discuss issues affecting the viability of her ranching business.
“I am extremely pleased with the overwhelming support – by the entire Oregon delegation – for Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (M-COOL), and I was happy to hear they share our frustration over the delay in implementation of M-COOL,” Smith noted. “They understand for U.S. cattle producers to be competitive, we must be able to differentiate our product in the marketplace, whether it’s the domestic or international market.
“From the reception we got, it is apparent that R-CALF is well known and respected on the Hill,” she said. “Our congressional representatives know that R-CALF USA represents U.S. cattle producers who are serious about protecting their businesses, their industry, their communities and their way of life. We realize that having a viable ranching business is not an entitlement, and that’s why we came to Washington D.C.”
R-CALF USA Members Richard and Susie Snedden, of Maricopa, Calif., said legislators and staff gave them a warm reception and it seemed they were glad to meet with people who actually make a living from cattle ranching.
“We were able to get more name recognition for R-CALF and we let them know that R-CALF is the only national trade organization to exclusively represent the interests of cattle producers,” said Susie Snedden. “We filled in the information gap, and those we met with expressed support for our goals and want to see U.S. cattle ranchers achieve viability and profitability in the face of increasing packer and retailer concentration, and in the face of an ultra-competitive global economy.”
At a wrap-up meeting after the two-day session, R-CALF USA President and Region V Director Chuck Kiker, of Beaumont, Texas, congratulated everyone on a job well done, and sincerely thanked them for pulling together to make the Stampede such a tremendous success.
“Your actions here have brought even more credibility to this organization, and folks, we’re going to build the cattle industry into something you can make a decent living doing,” Kiker said with a smile on his face and the gleam of optimism in his eyes. “We’re going to make sure your kids and grandkids can make a living ranching, if that’s what they want to do.
“We’d like to thank Secretary Johanns, as well as several under secretaries and staff, for listening to our concerns on various issues facing the cattle industry and their responsiveness to our thoughts on those issues,” Kiker said.
R-CALF USA Director of Government Relations Jess Peterson said throughout the two-day event, it was great to see all the cowboy hats on Capitol Hill, and he couldn’t thank the members of R-CALF USA enough, especially when they paid their own way to participate and had to be away from their ranches during this busy time of year.
“We had some really great meetings,” Peterson told R-CALF members. “These folks in Washington want to hear from you, so it’s important for us to keep sitting down with them to continue that dialogue, to let them know we’re here and what issues are important to our industry.”
R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard told members the Stampede was history in the making.
“What you have demonstrated during the Stampede is that there are real people whose lives are affected by the issues we’ve been bringing forward to Washington now for a number of years, and the synergy that develops from each and every one of the visits you made during these last two days will elevate the stature of these issues, and the people you spoke with will remember these meetings for a long time to come,” Bullard said. “What you’ve done is establish one solid foundation that we will continue to build upon throughout the year to advance these issues.
“We were here because you folks are sincere and committed about improving your industry and supporting what Congress is all about – and that’s the maintenance of a free enterprise system – a system that promotes and facilitates an open and competitive marketplace,” Bullard continued. “R-CALF USA members are the ones delivering that message, and it’s one powerful message.”
# # #
R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on domestic and international trade and marketing issues. R-CALF USA, a national, non-profit organization, is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA’s membership consists primarily of cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and feedlot owners. Its members – over 18,000 strong – are located in 47 states, and the organization has over 60 local and state association affiliates, from both cattle and farm organizations. Various main street businesses are associate members of R-CALF USA. For more information, visit http://www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.
