U.S. Cattlemen Head To Washington Next Week;
Focusing on the Farm Bill and Argentina Trade Issues

On January 22, USCA representatives will participate in a media luncheon at the National Press Club, a coalition event hosted by the American Task Force Argentina (ATFA) and the U.S. Cattlemen's Association (USCA).

Jess Peterson, USCA Director of Government Affairs, says the media luncheon is "an opportunity to heighten awareness and create dialogue about the issues surrounding the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) plan to increase beef trade with Argentina."

During the three day fly-in, participants are scheduled to meet with House and Senate offices and will meet with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administrators. Among the issues to be discussed on Capitol Hill are USDA's plan to regionalize beef trade with Argentina, competition reform in the Farm Bill, beef checkoff reform, the OTM (over thirty month) rule, ensuring U.S. cattle and agriculture producers are not used as a bargaining chip in future trade agreements and fever tick eradication.

Scheduled to attend the fly-in are USCA Director Emeritus, Leo McDonnell, Columbus, MT; Patrick Becker, President, Independent Beef Association of North Dakota (I-BAND); Chris Abbott, President, Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska (ICON); Chuck Sylvester, former general manager of the National Western Stock Show and member Colorado Independent CattleGrowers Association, LaSalle, Colorado; Roni Bell Sylvester, co-founder Good Neighbor Law, LaSalle, Colorado; Hugh Broadus, Montana Cattlemen's Association, MT; Tony Belcourt, Inter-Tribal Agriculture Council, MT; Brian Malaer, Director, Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas, Austin, TX; Rosalee Coleman, Vice-President, Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas, Corpus Christi, TX; Daryl Larson, Director, Kansas Cattlemen's Association, McPherson, KS; and Jay Miller, Director, USCA, Washington, VA.

Leo McDonnell, a veteran of trade policy issues and long-time cattle industry advocate, will serve as the primary spokesman for the group on issues specific to the U.S. cattle industry during the National Press Club Luncheon.

One year ago, USDA unveiled its proposal to increase beef trade with Argentina by regionalizing the country for foot and mouth disease (FMD). USCA policy opposes this plan, and the organization has designated this as a priority issue for 2008. Argentina is not recognized as an FMD-free country by the OIE (World Animal Health Organization).

"These are important times for U.S. cattle producers," noted Leo McDonnell. "The opportunities to better position our industry to be competitive and profitable are endless. By keeping focused on the issues, communicating with decision-makers, and utilizing relationships, cattle producers are poised to make 2008 a memorable year."

Established in March 2007, USCA is committed to assembling a team to concentrate efforts in Washington, DC to enhance and expand the cattle industry's voice on Capitol Hill. For more information visit www.uscattlemen.org

Good Neighbor Committee
P.O. Box 155 - La Salle, CO  80645
info@goodneighborlaw.com

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