Agricultural News
NCBA Helps Our DC Leaders See the Forest for the Trees - Keeps Agenda of Populist Groups at Bay
Thu, 20 Jul 2017 11:31:08 CDT
When the Obama-era US Department of Agriculture began the process to move forward on implementing the GIPSA rules, populist organizations like R-CALF USA and the National Farmers Union were very happy about the prospect of seeing the rules put in place. Their hopes were dashed, though, once the Trump administration's Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, took office. One of his first acts of business was to extend the comment period on the rules - a move that Colin Woodall of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association says was a stalling tactic that has hopefully signaled an end to the controversial GIPSA rules.
Woodall told Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays in a recent interview that he thinks NCBA, "has made a very good case to (Secretary Perdue) that the GIPSA rule went well beyond what the intent of Congress was in the language that was passed in the 2008 Farm Bill."
He explains that if passed, the rule would have a significant impact on the beef industry's alternative marketing arrangements. But, he assures that the Secretary seems to understand this. NCBA is joined by the National Chicken Council and the National Pork Producers Council in wanting to kill the rule, but Farm Bureau is riding the fence. They agree that NCBA is right in their argument regarding the rule, but also insist some issues must be addressed relating to the marketing situation among members of the poultry industry. Beyond GIPSA, though, Woodall says NCBA will continue to be watchful of populist activities, particularly when it comes to the notion of resurrecting Country of Origin Labelling.
"There are groups out there that want to utilize the NAFTA renegotiation as an opportunity to bring this back into play," Woodall said. "The President's staff continues to tell us that they understand this was a failed policy and that they have no intention of bringing back."
Listen to Woodall and Hays talk about the NCBA's efforts to block moves by populist organizations that could be potentially harmful to the American beef industry, on today's Beef Buzz.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
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