USCA (November 7, 2008) The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) today congratulates President-Elect Barack Obama on his win in the 2008 presidential election on November 4, and pledged its support to help the new administration move this country and the U.S. cattle industry forward.
"The election is a historic one for this nation," said Jon Wooster, USCA President, San Lucas, California. "President-Elect Obama said during his post-election speech on November 4 that the ‘work begins tomorrow’. We couldn’t agree more," said Wooster. "
"The USCA board of directors, during an early morning meeting on November 5, pledged to work with the new administration.," continued Wooster. "As the transition takes shape, USCA directors and members are eager to begin working within the Obama Administration on issues so critical to our industry’s future and viability. The U.S. cattle industry is a vital part of the overall economy, and President-Elect Obama has made clear that the economic challenges America is facing are his top priority. The changes USCA seeks include a new approach to international trade and more competitive domestic markets with an emphasis on supporting products and goods produced in the U.S."
"The election ushers in a new political frontier for the U.S. cattle industry," continued Wooster. "The opportunities are infinite if we engage. USCA will move forward immediately, offering to work with President-Elect Obama’s transition team, and we will continue in that vein as his cabinet takes shape and agency administrators are appointed."
The former Illinois Senator, according to his website, has established a list of agriculture priorities including:
1. Strengthening anti-monopoly laws and strengthening producer protections to ensure independent farmers and ranchers have fair access to markets, control over their production decisions and transparency in prices.
2. Moving country of origin labeling (COOL) forwards "so that American producers can distinguish their products from imported ones."
3. Establish a new program to identify and train the next generation of producers, as well as providing tax incentives to make it easier for new producers to obtain their first operation.
4. Boost incentives for landowners to "conduct sustainable agriculture and protect wetlands, grasslands and forests."
5. Implement a $250,000 payment limit and "close the loopholes that allow mega farms to get around the limits by subdividing their operations into multiple paper corporations."
6. Provide for more local control of pollution regulation emanating from CAFOs, with fines for those that violate tough standards.
7. Initiate steps to promote organic production, including helping organic farmers "afford to certify their crops and reform crop insurance to not penalize organic farmers; promote regional food systems.
"USCA has established a strong, respected presence in Washington, DC, and that will be pivotal in the days, weeks and months ahead,"said Leo McDonnell, USCA Director Emeritus, Columbus, Montana. "As the reins of government transition to the Obama team and the new administration takes over, USCA stands ready to help and participate in the democratic process. This is a very exciting time for the U.S. cattle industry, but it is very important that we make clear from the start our policy positions on issues such as trade, competition and animal health. I urge cattle producers everywhere to join USCA and become part of its solution-oriented approach as we move forward with new leadership in Washington, DC."