NCBA President Buck Wehrbein from Nebraska testified yesterday before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry to highlight the policy priorities for cattle producers from across the nation. In his testimony, Wehrbein urged Congress to pass a farm bill that supports animal health, voluntary conservation and risk management tools. He also explained the importance of the beef checkoff program, which strengthens demand, educates consumers and funds critical research.
Additionally, he asked Congress to protect the cattle industry from the renewed threat of New World screwworm by investing in sterile fly production facilities that will help eradicate the pest. The U.S. has been free of New World screwworms for more than 60 years, but the pest currently is in Mexico and could move north. Wehrbein also addressed the importance of passing legislation to lower taxes and eliminate the death tax, protecting beef in the dietary guidelines for Americans, supporting public lands ranching and reducing overregulation on American cattle producers.
“Congress must always remember that food security is national security and the policy decisions they make will impact the hardworking cattlemen and women who produce our nation’s food,” he said. “Passing a farm bill, axing the death tax, protecting beef in the dietary guidelines, rolling back excessive regulations, holding our trade partners accountable, combatting the New World screwworm and protecting the beef checkoff are all tangible steps Congress can take to support American farmers and ranchers and protect our food security.”
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