NCBA Recognises Friends Of Beef Industry
US - The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has launched a campaign in rural America to support candidates for the US House of Representatives and the US Senate working to sustain the US beef cattle industry for future generations.
2 November 2010
2 minute read
At the same time, NCBA, the largest and oldest national organisation representing the interests of US cattlemen, called out those members of Congress running for reelection who chose not to effectively represent their constituents vying to provide safe and affordable beef for the United States and abroad. NCBA President Steve Foglesong said although the campaign is focused on the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration’s (GIPSA) proposed rule for livestock and poultry marketing, it is really a campaign against big government and for capitalism.
“For whatever reason, we are witnessing a time of unprecedented government overreach,” said Mr Foglesong. “From banking to cars and now livestock, this Administration thinks burdensome rules are a hot trend. Ironically enough, we hear a lot of talk about repopulating and revitalizing rural America. Can someone please explain how you do that if a few folks in Washington are bent on regulating us out of business? There are several candidates who have the common sense needed in the US Capitol and there are some that need to pack their bags.”
Mr Foglesong said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed more than 1,100 new regulations in less than 17 months, many of which include little to no scientific justification. Specifically, Foglesong said EPA is getting closer to making regulations for dust twice as stringent. He points to a bipartisan letter signed by 75 members of Congress that offered concerns regarding EPA’s overreach. He said those who signed the letter took a stand for cattle producers. Foglesong said ethanol mandates are also a concern. The advertisements running in regional papers, sponsored by NCBA, show support for the 115 members of Congress and several US senators who sent letters to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack calling for a comprehensive economic analysis of the proposed GIPSA rule and calls out those that Foglesong says believe “Washington can run our businesses better” than cattle producers.
“On behalf of all cattle producers, we have had enough of this bureaucratic over reach,” said Mr Foglesong. “Men and women work hard every day to put food on the tables of all Americans and those outside the borders of the United States. If we are put out of business by big government, the consequences will wreak havoc on this economy. The scariest thing for farmers and ranchers this Halloween is our fear that the Obama Administration will show up at our door saying, ‘We’re from the government and we’re here to help.’ Big government intrusion, from ethanol mandates to new EPA environmental regulations to livestock marketing restrictions, are all trick and no treat.”
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