NCBA Releases Policy Priorities

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) released its official Policy Priorities for 2019 and has listed the implementation of a regulatory framework for lab-produced and plant-based "fake meat" as its No. 1 focus. The group released the priorities list in conjunction with its annual convention and trade show this week in New Orleans, attended by about 10,000 of its members. The organization in 2019 will focus on four main issue areas: Fake Meat. NCBA in 2018 argued for USDA to have primary jurisdiction over the inspection and marketing of lab-produced and plant-based fake meat. In 2019, the group will work to ensure that a regulatory framework is properly implemented that protects the health and wellbeing of consumers, prevents false and deceptive marketing, and ensures a level playing field for real beef products. Trade and Market Access. A perennial issue for U.S. cattle producers, 2019’s priorities on trade will focus on promoting a bilateral trade agreement with Japan, securing swift passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and expanding access for U.S. beef in key markets including China, the United Kingdom and the European Union. Dietary Guidelines. The federal government updates its official Dietary Guidelines every five years, and as that process ramps up in 2019, NCBA will work to protect the scientific credibility of Dietary Guidelines and promote accurate information about the nutritional advantages of beef as part of a balanced diet. Regulatory Reform and Implementation. The past two years have brought about significant regulatory relief for beef producers, NCBA said. This includes issues such as full implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill, enacting a permanent solution to Hours of Service rules for livestock haulers, finalizing a new water rule to replace the 2015 Waters of the U.S. rule, and exempting livestock producers from EPCRA air emissions reporting requirements. Additional efforts include modernizing the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act and federal grazing regulations, promoting antimicrobial stewardship by producers, and preserving access to key veterinary technologies.