Sustainability Is Key Focus For 2011
US - The National Cattlemen's Beef Association has identified five major priorities for the organisation that will be discussed in great detail during the annual gathering of US cattlemen and women, at the Industry Convention and NCBA Tradeshow in Denver.
21 January 2011
3 minute read
NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Colin Woodall said the five priories are trade; transportation; environment; competition; and healthy herd – cattle and consumers. The all encompassing theme for 2011 is sustainability.
“The days of allowing others to define sustainability for this industry are over,” Mr Woodall. “We will discuss these five priorities at the upcoming convention and determine how we can develop policies that ultimately sustain the future of this industry for generations to come. Our five priorities are critical to sustainability, profitability and longevity of the beef industry.”
Mr Woodall said US beef exports were near record levels in 2010, a trend he said is likely to continue in 2011. He said the signs are in place to suggest another strong year for beef trade but emphasised the importance of ratifying pending free trade agreements and pursuing additional opportunities for US beef.
“Our members need to come to convention very optimistic about the future of this industry. Here we are sitting on near record prices and mega potential in the United States and in the global marketplace,” said Mr Woodall. “Congress needs to ratify the pending trade agreements as quickly as possible.”
When it comes to transportation, Mr Woodall said NCBA is focused on making transportation more efficient for cattle producers by passing policy that makes weight limits the same in all states.
Environmental issues will continue to be at the forefront of policy priorities, according to Mr Woodall. He said many regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and, most recently, the Department of Interior (DOI), will regulate cattle producers out of business without sound scientific justification.
“The EPA has gone on a regulatory rampage,” said Mr Woodall. “The Department of Interior recently announced new rules that would threaten producers’ ability to graze their livestock on public lands. This practice, which is good for the land, wildlife and livestock is absolutely critical in the West.”
Competition, Mr Woodall said, is multifaceted but the timeliest component of this policy priority is the US Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration’s proposed rule on livestock marketing that will be, according to Mr Woodall, the most invasive example of government overreach in the history of the beef industry.
In regards to the healthy herd priority, Woodall said the focus will be food safety, nutrition, disease management and the judicious use of antibiotics.
“When we talk about sustainability, we need to focus on ways to make the industry better by working with farmers and ranchers to do what’s best for the land, consumers, animal well-being and more,” said Mr Woodall. “There are some that like to pass blame to farmers and ranchers for a whole slew of issues. These people are out of touch and need to realise that sustainability is only attainable by enabling America’s farmers and ranchers not by stifling their ability to do their job.”
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