News Update

News Update
Sept. 30, 2005

USMEF Urges Japan to Lift Ban

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) yesterday implored Japan to resume U.S. beef imports, according to Reuters.

“The FSC must render a decision on imports of U.S. beef,” USMEF President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Philip Seng stated, referring to Japan’s Food Safety Commission. The FSC has been charged with determining the safety of U.S. beef imports; however, the commission has yet to come to a conclusion despite the country’s earlier promises to renew imports of cattle aged 20 months or younger. According to Reuters, the panel is scheduled to have its next meeting Oct. 4

Earlier this week, several legislators had suggested retaliatory measures if Japan would not move forward toward restoring beef trade.

House Passes Endangered Species Act

Legislation regarding the Endangered Species Act (ESA) passed the U.S. House of Representatives Sept. 29, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) reported.

H.R. 3824, the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act (TESRA), was introduced by House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-Calif.) and Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.) on Sept. 19 and was approved by the full House, 229-193.

NCBA reports that the act provides:

• incentives for landowners and private parties to participate in on-the-ground conservation and recovery efforts;
• compensation for ranchers who incur losses as a result of wolf attacks on livestock; and
• better protection of private property rights.

“These provisions show that representatives from both political parties have an awareness of livestock producers’ needs and how we can actively contribute to species conservation,” said Mike Byrne, Public Lands Council (PLC) president and a California rancher. “And, by providing incentives for ranchers to participate in species recovery, we can actually develop the programs that have been proven to work.”

Relief Needed for Cattle Stranded by Hurricane Rita

Cattlemen along Louisiana’s Gulf Coast are desperately seeking feed, hay and water for the area’s thousands of displaced cattle forced to higher ground.

According to Louisiana State University (LSU), the whereabouts of approximately 20,000 cattle remain unknown in an area home to almost 170,000 head.

LSU Extension reported yesterday that hay, water, range cubes and fencing are badly needed in regions where little forage remains. Feed is being shipped and distributed in staging areas throughout Louisiana.

To make a donation or to help with transportation challenges, call (225) 578-3345 or (225) 343-3491. NCBA is also accepting donations at 1-866-233-3872.

Visit www.agctr.lsu.edu for more information.

Johanns Plans to Modernize FSA

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced earlier this week that he plans to host discussions with legislators regarding how to best modernize the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

“FSA is an agency with a strong record of service to farmers and ranchers,” Johanns stated in a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) release. “To continue that tradition, we must examine our future course with vision and an understanding that producers’ needs are changing.”

FSA state directors are developing proposals to upgrade equipment, invest in technology and personnel, and to ensure the future of the agency, which has undergone relatively few changes during its history and is incapable of fully supporting Web-based services. Proposals are to be submitted by Nov. 15.

“My hope is that we can agree on a plan that will make it possible to invest in equipment, technology and our employees. We want to ensure that top-notch service is provided to our farmers and ranchers long into the future,” Johanns said.

For more information visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, Angus Productions Inc. (API) associate editor