(WASHINGTON) – The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) calls for the immediate halt of beef imports from Namibia following reports of recent outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the country.
Namibia’s livestock industry is divided into two zones by the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF). The VCF, built in the mid-1960s, stands more than 550 miles long, and is passable at 9 permanent check points. North of the VCF is the FMD-infected zone, where the most recent outbreaks occurred, whereas south of the VCF is considered by the OIE as a “FMD free zone where vaccination is not practiced.”
However, the region’s African buffalo populations are considered to be persistent carriers of FMD. Documented cases of wildlife crossing into Namibia through the Zambezi river at shallow points elicits concern that diseased populations can move freely into and out of the country, and may contact domestic cattle herds. The country’s elephant population also has been known
LPO addresses the USCA’s concern about FMD
The Livestock Producers Organisation (LPO) of Namibia has noted with empathy and understanding the concern of the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) about a possible foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) contamination from Africa, specifically from Namibia.
Erika von Gierszewski, Namibia Agriculture Union spokesperson stated that the LPO can relate to the concerns of the USCA because possible FMD-outbreak south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF) will be disastrous for the red meat industry of Namibia. She added that although there are challenges in maintaining Namibia’s animal health status, these challenges have been dealt with successfully over the past 60 years.
U.S. Cattle Producers Rally Around the Cattle Market Transparency Act of 2021
Thursday Mar 4th, 2021 U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) have introduced the Cattle Market Transparency Act of 2021. The legislation seeks to accomplish two main goals: ensuring regionally sufficient negotiated cash trade, and equipping producers with more information to aid marketing decisions.
Other cosponsors of the bill include Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) and Mike Braun (R-IN).
United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) President Brooke Miller issued the following statement:
“USCA applauds Senators Fischer and Wyden for bringing forth a dynamic piece of legislation for a dynamic industry. The current conversations on increasing transparency and price discovery in the cattle marketplace began at the 2020 Winter Thaw in Billings, Montana, where USCA brought together industry leaders to brainstorm solutions to a thinning cash market. Those solutions are incorp
(NAFB) – The United States Cattlemen’s Association this week announced its support of The Strengthening Local Processing Act.
Introduced last month, the legislation will increase local livestock and poultry producers’ options and assist smaller facilities as they adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and expand to meet consumer demand. The legislation was introduced by Representative Chellie Pingree, a Maine Democrat, and Jeff Fortenberry, a Nebraska Republican, in the U.S. House.
USCA Vice President Justin Tupper of South Dakota says, “Local and regional meat processors are critical in securing our nation’s food supply, and by offering this technical and financial assistance, we can better help set them up for success.” USCA says four multinational meatpacking companies control over 80 percent of the meatpacking business in the U.S., adding, “expanding the reach of independent processors brings more competition to the marketplace.”
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