LUBBOCK, TX – Expanding grazing access, improving livestock processing and addressing labeling issues will be among the cattle industry’s early priorities when the new Congress takes office.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Executive Director Sigrid Johannes says the organization expects to focus quickly on Conservation Reserve Program grazing, local processing capacity and food labeling after lawmakers return in January.
Animal health is also high on the agenda. NCBA is seeking additional tools to address threats including the Asian longhorned tick, while western grazing access and wildfire policy remain important issues for producers using federal lands.
Johannes says NCBA will also continue work involving mandatory country-of-origin labeling, labeling of cell-cultured products and legislation aimed at expanding opportunities for smaller regional and independent meat processors.
The political makeup of Congress will change substantially, but Johannes says NCBA’s approach will remain focused on policies developed by cattle producers through the organization’s grassroots process.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Cattle producers can expect grazing, processing, labeling and animal-health issues to move quickly onto NCBA’s agenda in the new Congress.