NCBA: Celebrating A Successful 2010

US - Addressing members at the 2011 NCBA Convention and Trade Show, Steve Foglesong, President of th NCBA said that 2010, despite being a challenging year, had been a successful one, writes TheCattleSite editor, Charlotte Johnston.

3 February 2011

2 minute read

North America

"Although 2010 has been a year of conflicts, the NCBA has managed successfully to work through them, depsite the industry facing unprecedented government overreach."

Beef nutritional label: After 25 years of campaigning, the NCBA can proudly say that it has successfully accomplished the creation of a beef nutritional label.

"This is a huge win", Mr Foglesong said.

"On top of this, this week, we have seen another success with changes to the nutritional guidelines."

These previously stated that American should eat more of a plant based diet, and increase the amount of fish to replace red meat.

Mr Foglesong, a fish farmers as well as a beef producers joked, "why would anyone take a lean piece of beef and replace it with fish, for increased nutritional values, when we all know fish only tastes good when deep fried!"

Joking aside, Mr Foglesong said that the NCBA, along with the American National Cattlewomen and the Beef Checkoff all promoted the nutritional benefits of beef in a healthy diet, saying that science through research backed this up.

The next success was the deal with the death tax - after years of battling the NCBA has secured a two-year windon for producers to get estates in order. Although not ideal, he said, there was at least a stake in the ground, meaning the case could later be taken to appeal.

One of the biggest issues facing the US cattle industry at the moment is the proposed GIPSA rule, which after severe pressure from the industry the government are now undertaking a real economic analysis of these rules.

Mr Foglesong said that the NCBA would not let a rule come in that would turn back all progress made by the industry in the last 50 years, and that if necessary it would go to court.

Finally, Mr Foglesong touched apon the US-Korean trade deal, which appears impending. He said that he was confident a deal would go ahead soon, which would lead to an open market.

Concluding, Mr Foglesong said that this week presented the industry with an opportunity to work together, to participate and allow members voices to be heard.