NCBA opposes federal mandate on animal agriculture

Tom Talbot, chairman of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Cattle Health and Well-Being Committee, said despite challenges cattlemen and women face, raising healthy cattle is and always has been a top priority.

Talbot, who is a veterinarian and California cattle rancher, is appalled that animal care could be taken out of the hands of experts and placed in the control of the federal government.

Specifically, Talbot is referring to amendment 2252 to the 2012 Farm Bill offered by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

The amendment, which would mandate on-farm production practices, was also introduced as legislation, Egg Inspection Act Amendments of 2012 (S. 3239 and H.R. 3298), by Sen. Feinstein and Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.).

"The U.S. beef community has changed through the years, but the one thing that remains the same is our commitment to raising healthy cattle and providing our animals the best care possible," Talbot said.

Talbot added, "NCBA's Cattle Health and Wellbeing Committee relies on the latest information from government officials, veterinarians and cattle health experts to ensure our policies reflect the latest science and ensure effective cattle care practices on cattle operations throughout the country."

Talbot said while cattlemen make it their top priority to care for their animals, there are organizations that attempt to paint a different picture of animal agriculture.

Talbot said the amendment to the farm bill would codify an agreement entered into by the Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers to seek federal legislation to mandate egg production practices.

Talbot said the agreement creates a slippery slope to allow the federal government to mandate on-farm production practices for all sectors of the agricultural industry.

"This legislation opens up Pandora's Box on Capitol Hill. While this bill currently only applies to the egg industry, it's not a far stretch to see it applied to all animal agriculture," Talbot said.

He continued, "Cattlemen proactively worked with veterinarians and cattle health experts to develop production guidelines. We worked together to improve our industry. Unfortunately, a one-size fits all federal mandate telling farmers and ranchers how to do their jobs is not acceptable."

Talbot said he is disappointed in Sen. Feinstein and urges all U.S. senators to side with family farmers and ranchers by rejecting amendment 2252 to the farm bill and the legislation altogether.