News Update

News Update
June 26, 2006

Senate Takes Action Regarding Beef Trade with Japan

Members of the Senate took retaliatory action against Japan June 22 in response to a delay in beef trade resumption.

Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a trade agreement with Japan last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee attached a statement to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Agriculture Appropriations Bill calling for sanctions on Japanese products if Japan does not resume imports of U.S. beef by the enactment of the bill.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced its support of the legislation, as well as Senate bill S. 3548, a bill introduced June 21 by Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), calling for tariffs on Japanese exports if Japan does not open its borders to U.S. beef by Aug. 31, 2006.

Cattle Theft Suspects Captured

A Brazoria County, Texas, rancher has confessed to a nine-month series of South Texas cattle thefts spanning eight counties, 13 victims and 289 cattle valued at more than $250,000, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) reported.

According to TSCRA, the break in the investigation finally came June 13, when 10 calves, including one with unusual scarring, were stolen from the Navasota, Texas, sale barn. An order-buyer later recognized the calf when it was taken to a sale in Groesbeck, Texas.

Investigators report that the suspect would take stolen cattle to a leased pasture and mix them with his own, selling the stolen calves periodically over a month or two at several different sale barns.

Eighty-three head of stolen cattle were returned to their owners last week, and TSCRA hopes to obtain any remaining cattle. Investigators intend to file formal criminal charges in eight different counties.

USDA Personal Information Breach

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced last week that Washington, D.C., area employees of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) may have had their personal identity information compromised when USDA computer systems were illegally accessed. Approximately 26,000 current and former Washington, D.C., area USDA employees and contractors are potentially affected.

The personal identity information potentially accessed includes individual’s names, social security numbers and photos. Worksite information that is readily available to the public is also contained within the database.

Notifications were sent via e-mail to potentially affected individuals informing them of the potential breach, and letters will also be sent. Free credit reporting services will be available for affected employees to monitor their credit. People who believe they may be affected by the data breach can call toll-free 1-800-333-4636 or go to www.firstgov.gov for more information.

Appropriate law enforcement agencies have been notified, and the USDA Inspector General’s Office is conducting a full investigation into this matter.

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