home → articles → Columnists | Email to a Friend

Executive Director’s Report

published: August 8th 2008
by: Bill Hyman
source: ICA Of Texas

The final rules for Country of Origin La-beling have been published by USDA and they seem to be user friendly for the producer. Cattlemen will only have to sign a simple affidavit to verify that their cattle are U.S. born and raised. The new rules allow for the use of the national animal ID system to be used to verify country of origin but it is not mandatory for producers to use the NAIS program. Record keeping requirements for producers will only be those records pres-ently used by producers in their normal course of business. The new rules written by USDA are generally the way ICA and United States Cattlemen’s Association had suggested. We asked for simple procedures to verify the origin of our cattle that would not impede marketing or create a burden on producers and the government listened.
    Now as you sit back and pat yourself on the back for a job well done, remember we now need to utilize the COOL program to promote our product. As producers, we need to work with retailers to make sure the consumer recognizes U.S. Born and Raised Beef for its taste, quality and that it is a product of the USA. With trade deficits at an all time high, and many domestic products being produced overseas, we need to make consumers aware that our product is “American Made”. U.S. ranchers incorporate the most stringent health and safety standards in the world making our beef product of the highest quality. We accomplish this goal by educating the public through advertising and informational programs. By educating the consumer, we establish increased demand for our product; thereby, increasing U.S. beef market share and hopefully increasing prices for our cattle.
    The beef market in the United States is the largest beef market in the world and we need to insure that we make it our market, not Brazil’s or Australia’s.
    Next month ICA will begin the 2008 Cattle Drive activities. With the Texas Legislature beginning in January 2009, we must be ready to represent the rancher on all issues. Major legislative topics for 2009 include the Trans Texas Corridor, eminent domain, ad valorem tax issues and future water needs for Texas. Whatever the ranching issue, with your help, ICA will remain vigilant and continue to represent the views of our members. Please make plans to attend a Cattle Drive program or mail your donation to help protect and preserve our ranching way of life.