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NCBA: Partnering with extremist groups bad news for US ag
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Tom Talbot, chairman of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Cattle Health and Well-Being Committee, led a lively discussion during their meeting Feb. 3, during the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. Conversation ranged from the latest science and research to ensuring effective cattle care to federal legislation to mandate on-farm production practices and more. Talbot said despite challenges cattle producers face, raising healthy cattle is and always has been a top priority.
“The U.S. beef industry has changed through the years, but the one thing that remains the same is our commitment to raising healthy cattle and providing our animals the best care possible,” Talbot said. “NCBA’s Cattle Health and Wellbeing Committee relies on the latest information from government officials, veterinarians and cattle health experts to ensure our policies reflect the latest science and ensure effective cattle care practices on cattle operations throughout the country.”
Kristina Butts, NCBA executive director of legislative affairs, said while cattlemen make it their top priority to care for their animals, there are organizations that attempt to paint a different picture of animal agriculture. Specifically, Butts discussed an agreement entered into by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the United Egg Producers to seek federal legislation to mandate egg production practices. Butts said legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.) to codify that agreement creates a slippery slope to allow the federal government to mandate on-farm production practices for all sectors of the agricultural industry.
“This legislation opens up Pandora’s Box on Capitol Hill. While this bill currently only applies to the egg industry, it’s not a far stretch to see it applied to all animal agriculture,” Butts said. “Cattlemen proactively worked with veterinarians and cattle health experts to develop production guidelines. We worked together to improve our industry. Unfortunately, a one-size fits all federal mandate telling farmers and ranchers how to do their jobs is not acceptable.”
Dr. Dave Daley, a cow-calf producer from California and the animal science department chairman at Chico State University, continued the discussion of animal rights organizations agendas and the impact of those agendas on the cattle industry. Daley said cattlemen need to take charge of the conversation about the industry.
“We sometimes don’t like change but think about the changes in our industry. We’re better producers today because we’ve changed,” Daley said. “If you don’t want HSUS to tell you want to do, you need to decide that. In agriculture, we are good at talking to each other. But we have to change that. We have to talk to people outside agriculture about what we do. We have to lead the conversation.”
Comments (8)
Leave a commentM. Davis
Report AbuseI don't raise cattle, but I think the Federal Government should not be trying to make rules on eggs, chickens or cattle. In my opinion, the Government needs to get back to doing only what is set out in the Constitution. Everything it touches either does not work or the costs go through the roof. In other words, I think that the Government is the problem.
Pauline
Report AbuseYes Goverment is our problem, Their heads are getting tooooooooooo big, for them, we need to get this right.My family are farmers, leave us alone we are fine without more goverment.
Joyceann
Report AbuseI agree with MDavis - I don't "farm" anymore but farmers are an intelligent lot - constantly learning how to get "along" with Nature. They don't have a choice, they rely on nature for their crops. They don't need the government - it's never grown nothing but the budget in their life - all that will result with that union is control. They use the EPA and other programs to control enough as it is - we need more freedom to do what we know how to do and less control from the government.
Bill from Middletown
Report AbuseOutside of basic over site and reasonable regulation concerning sanitation, safe food handling practices, minimum standards for humane treatment of livestock, poultry etc., reasonable inspection and public openness, the gov't should stay out of agriculture and business in general.
Walter
Report AbuseDifferent between the two. Mitt is a true American and a citizen. Mitt is not suing all the states, Obama seem to be the enemy instead a good leader. Mitt did not seal his pass Un American history.Mitt is not suing law Enforcement. Mitt does not support all the un American czars. You need to get you facts together.
Harley
Report AbuseMore Government is not the solution. Government is the problem. By the way. The true United States Government is THE PEOPLE, not this hideous elected, designated monster confronting us today. These elected, designated representatives that have the insatiable desire to dominate and control people (us), to exercise their lust for power, MUST BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE.
Joe
Report AbuseWe have the US Department of Education. Results? America dumbed down.
We have the US Department of Energy. Results? Fuel on the way to $5 per gallon and still we are dependent of foreign oil and are transferring unbelievable American wealth to people who want to kill us.
We have the US Department of Justice. Results? Our Constitution is being destroyed.
We have the US Department of State. Results? Further destruction of our Constitution and creating treaties that weaken our Republic.
We have the US Department of dam near anything and everything and then we…
We have the US Department of Agriculture. Results? Need one say more that these bureaucrats and busybodies want to control tractor dust.
And then we have the American Voter who continues to elect the cretins who create these endless agencies that perpetrate horrible carnage on the American people.
Pointing out problems is easy. What to do about it is apparently impossible; So it seems. However, the first step is simple. Vote! Kick them all out! Change the guard! This may be our last chance.
REMEMBER NOVEMBER!
Maxine
Report AbuseGood comments re. excessive government regulation of the cattle industry, folks!
However, I believe even more dangerous is the fact that aggies are partnering with the anti-animal ag extremists!
HSUS and it's 'partners in crimes' have seemingly endless funds used mostly to attack animal agriculture in various ways.
WHY would anyone producing eggs and poultry (meat) endanger their own existence by partnering with HSUS???