(MARCH 6, 2023) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a proposed rulemaking to close the “Product of the U.S.A.” loophole that meatpackers use to purposefully mask the identify of their comingled beef products. Under current regulations, imported beef product can be brought into the US., undergo a “significant transformation,” – which can be as insignificant as trimming or rewrapping – …
(March 3, 2023) – The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) stands with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, RCALF-USA, Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) in calling for the immediate suspension of Brazilian beef imports. According to DTN’s Progressive Farmer, more than a month passed before Brazilian authorities reported a case of mad cow disease, more properly known …
(FEBRUARY 11, 2023) – The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) is pleased to announce that its Independent Processing Committee Chairman Patrick Robinette earned a spot on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Advisory Committee for Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). This committee advises the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on matters affecting the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s inspection program activities, including food safety …
(FEBRUARY 10, 2023) – On Wednesday, Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) reintroduced the Meat Packing Special Investigator Act. The bill would create the “Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters” within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which would be comprised of a team of investigators, with subpoena power, responsible for targeting and …
(FEBRUARY 9, 2023) – Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) , and Jim Baird (R-IN), and Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced plans on Wednesday to reintroduce the Strengthening Local Processing Act. The bill would would create a competitive grant program for small and very small establishments, state-inspected facilities, custom exempt facilities, or new small-scale slaughter facilities. It would also …
(FEBRUARY 2, 2023) – Today, Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) reintroduced the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act. The bill would establish minimum levels of fed cattle purchases made through approved pricing mechanisms, which includes negotiated cash, negotiated grid, at a stockyard, and through trading systems that multiple buyers and sellers regularly can …
(JANUARY 18, 2023) – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a proposed rule today to amend animal disease traceability regulations. The agency is soliciting public comment on the proposal until March 22, 2023. What will be the biggest change? Official USDA tags will now be defined as those that are both visually and …
(JANUARY 13, 2022) – On Tuesday, 50 cattle, farm, rural and consumer groups sent a joint letter to U.S. Senate and House members who, during the last session of Congress, cosponsored the American Beef Labeling Act that restores mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef. The letter expressed the groups’ gratitude for the congressional members’ leadership and support of the American Beef …
(JANUARY 11, 2023) – The U.S Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) hosted its 15th Annual Meeting & Cattle Producer’s Forum on December 8-10, 2022 in Nashville, TN. The event drew attendees from across the U.S., and served as a platform for key industry leaders and decisionmakers to discuss what the future holds for the U.S. cattle industry. The organization also welcomed new leadership …
(DECEMBER 1, 2022) – The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) is pleased to announce a panel discussion of two leading voices for a competitive agricultural marketplace at the 15th Annual Meeting & Cattle Producer’s Forum this December 10 in Nashville, TN. Michael B. Kades, Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Antitrust Division at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Andy Green, Senior Advisor …
(NOVEMBER 8, 2022) – The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) is pleased to announce that Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety, Sandra Eskin, will provide a special address to cattle producers at the 15th Annual Meeting and Cattle Producer’s Forum this December 8-10, 2022, in Nashville, TN. Sandra Eskin was appointed Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety on March 24, 2021. …
(NOVEMBER 3, 2022) – On Wednesday, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the first-round recipients of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) grants and loans. Phase I of MPPEP consists of $73 million in 21 grant projects intended to increase competition across the cattle marketplace and support increased producer opportunities. Additionally, these grants will work towards strengthening the food supply chain, …