02/08/05 NCBA policy on Canada

American Rancher February 8, 2005 At its annual convention this past week, members of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association passed an 11 point directive that ties the reopening of live cattle trade with Canada to other unresolved trade issues, such as the reopening of Japan, South Korea, and Mexico to U.S. beef. NCBA members said if necessary, economic sanctions should be used to reopen those markets. USDA has of course proposed reopening the border to imports of live Canadian cattle under 30 months of age on March 7th. Other conditions NCBA wants resolved before the border is reopened include prohibiting the importation of cattle and beef products from animals more than 30 months of age; no feeder cattle imported until agreement is reached on harmonization of animal health standards especially bluetongue and anaplasmosis; the movement of Canadian cattle into the U.S. must be managed to minimize market disruptions; USDA grade and stamps not be allowed on any imported beef product, and imported feeder heifers must be spayed. The directive was passed unanimously by the Policy Division of the Board of Directors and upheld in the annual membership meeting. For those not attending a mail ballot will sent to all NCBA members on February 17th and members will be asked to approve or reject all policy decisions passed at the convention. For that ballot to be valid there must be a 20% return from four of NCBA's seven regions. I'm Bob Hoff.