News Update
May 28, 2010

Cattlemen’s Boot Camp Set for North Carolina

The American Angus Association and North Carolina State University (NCSU) will host a Cattlemen’s Boot Camp Aug. 10-11 in Raleigh.

The day-and-a-half educational event is open to all cattle producers and is packed with speakers, educational materials and hands-on labs.

Association, university and industry experts will present a variety of topics, including a business model in the beef industry; communicating a positive beef industry image; optimal nutritional management; improving reproductive performance; cattle behavior and handling; marketing through branded beef programs; and determining carcass value.

Other meat lab sessions will focus on evaluating quality and yield grades, as well as new beef products and value-added cuts.

A hands-on lab with NCSU experts will explore identification basics; cattle processing; DNA and blood collection; body condition scoring; artificial insemination and palpation; and phenotypic selection. A case study examining bull type at sale time is also scheduled, as well as a question-and-answer session with Association staff. Read more.

FSIS Issues Proposed Rule to Permit Air Inflation

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to revise the federal meat inspection regulations to permit establishments that slaughter livestock or prepare livestock carcasses and parts to inflate carcasses and parts with air if they develop, implement and maintain written controls to ensure that the procedure does not cause unsanitary conditions or adulterate the product.

Establishments that incorporate these controls would be required to incorporate them into their Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans or sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs) or other prerequisite programs.

In addition, FSIS is proposing to amend its regulations to remove the approved methods for inflating livestock carcasses and parts by air and to remove the requirement that establishments submit requests to FSIS for approval of air inflation procedures not listed in the regulations.

To submit comments on the proposed rule, go to www.regulations.gov/ or submit them by mail to Docket Clerk, USDA, FSIS, Room 2-2175, George Washington Carver Center, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5272, Beltsville, MD 20705.

Comments must be received before June 23, 2010. To view the Federal Notice on this proposed rule, click here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-12337.htm.

— Release by the American Meat Institute (AMI).

NCBA Legislative Watch  

NCBA is encouraging a “Yes” vote for:

H.R. 5294, LEASE Act of 2010

Summary: To prevent Federal agencies from regulating greenhouse gas emissions for purposes of addressing climate change without express and specific statutory authority.

Primary co-sponsors: Reps. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.)

H.Res.1254, Resolution of Inquiry Directed at Dept. of Interior

Summary: Resolution requiring the Secretary of the Interior to turn over to the House of Representatives specific information related to potential National Monument designations. National Monument designations affect livestock grazing and multiple-use activities on public lands. As such, these designations should be done transparently and with input from local stakeholders and state congressional delegations.

Primary co-sponsors: Reps. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) and Bob Bishop (R-Utah)

H.R. 4717 / S. 3122, Open EAJA Act of 2010

Summary: Currently, there is virtually no oversight of the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). While the Act was originally intended by Congress to help private citizens seek judicial redress from unreasonable government actions, it has been manipulated by environmental activist groups as a means to use taxpayer dollars to target federal-lands agencies, and ultimately the family farmers and ranchers who use the lands. The Open EAJA Act would restore much-needed accountability in the use of these funds.

Primary co-sponsors: Reps. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.) and Rob Bishop (R-Utah) / Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.)

S.J.RES. 26 / H.J.RES. 76 / H.J.RES. 77

Summary: A joint resolution disapproving EPA’s endangerment finding and the regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.

Primary co-sponsors: Sen. Murkowski (R-Alaska) / Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) / Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas)

S.RES. 452 / H.RES. 1196

Summary: The resolution urges the Obama Administration to insist on increased market access for U.S. beef to Japan. Japan’s unscientific restrictions on U.S. beef imports results in approximately $1 billion in lost exports annually for the American beef industry.

Primary co-sponsors: Sens. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) / Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)

H.R. 5016

Summary: H.R. 5016 would increase U.S. border security by prohibiting the Department of the Interior from using environmental regulations to hinder U.S. Border Patrol from securing our border on federal lands.

Primary co-sponsors: Reps. Bob Bishop (R-Utah), Doc Hastings (R-Wash.), Peter King (R-N.Y.) and Lamar Smith (R-Texas)

NCBA is encouraging a “No” vote for:

H.R. 5088

Summary: The Act would grant the federal government unprecedented regulatory authority over all waters regardless of whether or not they have any environmental significance. It would infringe on state and private property rights and lead to endless litigation and bureaucratic red tape, which would actually hamper our nation’s ability to maintain clean waters.

Primary co-sponsor: Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.)

H.R. 1549, Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA)

Summary: H.R. 1549 would stop veterinarians and producers from preventing disease in livestock, which would ultimately harm animal welfare, animal health, food safety and food security. Prevention of disease is a cornerstone in both human and animal medicine. Taking away this tool undermines preventative medicine, and healthy animals are the foundation of a safe food supply.

Primary co-sponsor: Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.)

S. 787, Clean Water Restoration Act

Summary: Currently, waters under the jurisdiction of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) are defined as “navigable waters of the United States.” Other waters are subject to regulation by individual states, which are better equipped to manage their own unique geographical concerns. S. 787 would remove the word “navigable” from the definition, drastically expanding federal regulatory control over all wet areas and any “activities” affecting those waters. Farmers and ranchers could be required to obtain permits for everyday activities, like driving a tractor near an irrigation ditch or grazing cattle near a mud hole.

Primary co-sponsor: Sen. Feingold (D-Wis.)

H.R. 3012, TRADE Act

Summary: The TRADE Act essentially puts the U.S. on the sidelines by requiring the President to set in place a plan for renegotiating all of the current U.S. trade agreements (including the WTO agreements with more than 150 member states) 90 days before initiating any new trade agreement negotiations or submitting a revised trade agreement to Congress. The U.S. would effectively be in a “time out” while our competitors continue to move forward on negotiating and implementing new preferential agreements to grow their economies and strengthen their job base.
Primary co-sponsor: Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Maine)

H.R. 503 / S. 727, Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009

Summary: Banning the processing of horses will result in more, not less, horse welfare issues, including abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Abusing, starving, or turning a horse loose to fend for itself is not humane, and there are not enough adequate horse adoption and rescue facilities to protect these animals. In addition to creating unintended consequences for horses, this bill would set a dangerous precedent by jeopardizing citizens' private-property management rights.

Primary co-sponsor: Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) / Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.)

Two B.C. Farms Quarantined After Cattle Test Positive for Brucellosis

According to the Vancouver Sun, two farms in British Columbia (B.C.) were quarantined by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) after three beef cows tested positive for brucellosis. The disease was detected during routine testing at a slaughterhouse in the United States, which has placed import restrictions on cattle from B.C. while further testing takes place. Read more.

Offices Closed May 31, 2010

The American Angus Association and Angus Productions Inc. will be closed Monday May 31 in observance of Memorial Day.

— Compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.