Tommy
Well-known member
Who does NCBA represent?
To the editor:
What should an independent cattle producer believe about the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA)?
I recently received a letter from the NCBA requesting my membership in the organization. In this letter, the NCBA claims to be lobbying in Washington, D.C., on issues important to cattle producers. This is true: The NCBA is very actively lobbying on issues important to cattlemen. They specifically claim to have improved language to fix country-of-origin labeling (COOL) in the upcoming farm bill.
You would think by the inference of the letter the NCBA was front and center in fighting for COOL. Well, it is true the NCBA was front and center in the debate and fight over COOL, the only problem is the NCBA was trying desperately to kill COOL. The NCBA was working with the American Meat Institute (AMI) to kill the COOL law or gut the effectiveness of the law. The AMI aggressively lobbies for the packers' best interests.
Who does NCBA lobby for?
The NCBA was instrumental in delaying the implementation of COOL after the law was passed in 2002. The NCBA then co-authored a letter to Congress urging support for an amendment by former Rep. Henry Bonilla, R-Texas, to "limit funding for the development of regulations for the mandatory country-of-origin labeling program for meat products that was included in the 2002 farm bill".
Does this action by the NCBA indicate loyalty to independent cattlemen or the packers?
In another segment of the NCBA's letter, it mentions success with the farm bill debate in the House of Representatives in regards to competition issues. The NCBA was successful in blocking the inclusion of any language in the farm bill improving competition in cattle markets. They go on to say, "The inclusion of competition language is still possible in the Senate, and the NCBA will continue to lobby against this."
Does this sound like an organization that is lobbying for cattlemen or meatpackers?
Is this what the independent cattle producers of Iowa want?
Do Iowa's cattle producers want less competition in the market place for the cattle they raise?
Doesn't less competition lower the price cattlemen receive for their cattle?
So, who is it the NCBA's actions in Washington, D.C., are benefiting — cattlemen or packers?
The NCBA is applauding the USDA's recent announcement of opening the Canadian border to cattle over 30 months of age.
This action by the USDA is a threat to the financial well-being of independent U.S. cattle producers, a threat to the long-term health of the U.S. cattle herd and a threat to the safety of the meat supply in the United States.
So, who does the NCBA represent?
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, repeatedly refers to the NCBA as "packer lackeys." Does this leave any doubt who the NCBA is working for?
Howard Vlieger
Maurice, Iowa
To the editor:
What should an independent cattle producer believe about the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA)?
I recently received a letter from the NCBA requesting my membership in the organization. In this letter, the NCBA claims to be lobbying in Washington, D.C., on issues important to cattle producers. This is true: The NCBA is very actively lobbying on issues important to cattlemen. They specifically claim to have improved language to fix country-of-origin labeling (COOL) in the upcoming farm bill.
You would think by the inference of the letter the NCBA was front and center in fighting for COOL. Well, it is true the NCBA was front and center in the debate and fight over COOL, the only problem is the NCBA was trying desperately to kill COOL. The NCBA was working with the American Meat Institute (AMI) to kill the COOL law or gut the effectiveness of the law. The AMI aggressively lobbies for the packers' best interests.
Who does NCBA lobby for?
The NCBA was instrumental in delaying the implementation of COOL after the law was passed in 2002. The NCBA then co-authored a letter to Congress urging support for an amendment by former Rep. Henry Bonilla, R-Texas, to "limit funding for the development of regulations for the mandatory country-of-origin labeling program for meat products that was included in the 2002 farm bill".
Does this action by the NCBA indicate loyalty to independent cattlemen or the packers?
In another segment of the NCBA's letter, it mentions success with the farm bill debate in the House of Representatives in regards to competition issues. The NCBA was successful in blocking the inclusion of any language in the farm bill improving competition in cattle markets. They go on to say, "The inclusion of competition language is still possible in the Senate, and the NCBA will continue to lobby against this."
Does this sound like an organization that is lobbying for cattlemen or meatpackers?
Is this what the independent cattle producers of Iowa want?
Do Iowa's cattle producers want less competition in the market place for the cattle they raise?
Doesn't less competition lower the price cattlemen receive for their cattle?
So, who is it the NCBA's actions in Washington, D.C., are benefiting — cattlemen or packers?
The NCBA is applauding the USDA's recent announcement of opening the Canadian border to cattle over 30 months of age.
This action by the USDA is a threat to the financial well-being of independent U.S. cattle producers, a threat to the long-term health of the U.S. cattle herd and a threat to the safety of the meat supply in the United States.
So, who does the NCBA represent?
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, repeatedly refers to the NCBA as "packer lackeys." Does this leave any doubt who the NCBA is working for?
Howard Vlieger
Maurice, Iowa