4/25/2006 2:46:00 PM
R-CALF: Mail-In Ballots Counted; Resolutions Become Policy
Billings, Mont. – R-CALF USA by-laws permit every member who owns cattle to vote on policy resolutions. To accomplish this, R-CALF USA mails a ballot to each voting member immediately after its annual convention.
“While it takes longer to count mail-in ballots than to simply count a show of hands during convention, R-CALF USA’s policy ensures that each voting member has an equal voice in both the leadership and direction of the organization,” said R-CALF USA President and Region V Director Chuck Kiker. “The mail-in ballots have now been counted, and the membership has approved each and every resolution proposed at the annual convention in January.”
Members overwhelmingly (3,815-22) instructed the board to “take appropriate action to challenge and stop USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) from allowing the importation of beef products from cattle older than 30 months of age, as well as the importation of live cattle over 30 months (OTM) of age, from Japan or any other BSE-affected country.”
Regarding animal identification, members approved by a vote of 3,628-183 the following resolution: “R-CALF USA opposes a federally mandated national animal identification program. R-CALF USA opposes a totally privatized, centralized database and/or a federally centralized database. R-CALF USA supports a voluntary animal-health traceback system that ensures the protection of individual data, and a system that is compatible with the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). R-CALF USA shall continue to work with the federal government, state governments and Tribal governments, as well as the industry, to determine the feasibility, functionality, and benefit to the U.S. cattle industry of an animal-health traceback system that incorporates existing systems, such as brand programs and the Intertribal Cattle Connect program, and vests the responsibilities and authority under the auspices of state animal health officials and Tribal governments.
R-CALF USA often has been mischaracterized as being opposed to the Beef Checkoff. However, the organization’s only Beef Checkoff policy was established back in 2000, which states U.S. cattle producers should have the right to periodically vote on the Beef Checkoff.
R-CALF USA established a Checkoff Committee in January that proposed the following resolution, which passed 3,734-41: “Whereas, R-CALF USA seeks to provide the motivation, information and support necessary to our members so they can become more involved in influencing decisions regarding the Beef Checkoff, and Whereas, the vast majority of dollars collected by the Beef Checkoff comes directly from U.S. cattle producers, Therefore, be it resolved, R-CALF USA recommends the following: 1) All R-CALF USA affiliate organizations seek approval as “qualified” organizations or associations in their respective states, nominate from within their membership and actively promote those nominees for appointment to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB); 2) Those affiliate organizations also work diligently to obtain seats on their respective state beef council by providing candidates for appointment or election; 3) Be it further resolved, R-CALF USA seeks appropriate changes to the Beef Promotion Act and Order that would allow Beef Checkoff dollars collected from U.S. cattle producers to be used to promote products that are specifically born, raised and processed in the United States.
A second Beef Checkoff-related resolution, approved with a vote of 3,615-142, states: “Be it resolved: R-CALF USA will lead a nationwide referendum to amend the National Beef Promotion Act to make such Acts responsive to grassroots family cattle producers. This is NOT an effort to kill the program, but rather an effort to make the program better. Specifically, R-CALF USA is suggesting the Checkoff program be amended to include the following: 1) Checkoff dollars may be used to promote USA beef from cattle born, raised, and processed in the United States of America; 2) A periodic vote on the Checkoff program (every 5 years); 3) Prohibit any one cattle organization from serving as the “prime contractor” for the program, but allow all cattle organizations to participate in approved projects on a case-by-case basis; 4) Reform the Cattlemen’s Beef Board to reflect proportional representation from all national cattle organizations; 5) Allow Checkoff expenditures to promote branded products from small and large packing entities; 6) Provide that 70% of all funds collected remain in the state where collected, and 30% to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board; 7) Reset the date for cattle organizations to be able to bid on Checkoff contracts from 1985 to the date the Act is amended.
Members also instructed the board to “establish a standing committee to help protect and preserve private property rights,” with a vote of 3,587-101.
An Endangered Species Act resolution also was passed with a vote of 3,575-149, which states: “Whereas, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation amending the ESA to offer greater incentives to landowners to participate in species recovery; and Whereas, the House legislation provides for compensation to property owners to aide the recovery of species; and Whereas the House legislature calls for better science in listing species and development of recovery plans; and Whereas, the U.S. Senate is currently considering updating and modernizing the ESA; Now therefore be it resolved that R-CALF USA strongly supports amending the ESA to advance protections of private property rights, insuring that listing and recovery decisions are based on credible science and providing financial incentives for property owners to participate in recovery of species; and Be it further resolved that R-CALF USA strongly encourages the U.S. Senate to go forward with updating and modernizing the ESA.”
On another animal-health matter, the following resolution was approved with a vote of 3,562-74: “Be it resolved, that R-CALF USA requests that APHIS and APHIS Wildlife Services look into the cause and spread and distribution of neospora caninum infection in cattle and/or livestock.