USCA: Ranchers still 'wrangling the recession'

From the United States Cattlemen's Association:

Ranchers from across the country will converge in Washington, D.C. next week for the U.S. Cattlemen's Association's "Ranchers Wrangling the Recession" Washington, D.C. Fly-In 2011. State leaders representing a variety of regions within the U.S. will be in the nation's capital advocating for ranchers' best interests during a packed schedule of meetings.

Producers from California, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, Virginia, Texas, and Wyoming will arrive in D.C. on February 28 and will spend the following days speaking to agency officials and their respective elected representatives about issues vital to the cattle industry. Specific issues that will be addressed include continued discussion on establishing competitive and transparent markets within the industry, country of origin labeling, current trade policy, animal health concerns with regard to Foot and Mouth Disease and the domestic and international safeguards currently in place, animal disease traceability program updates, and support for Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) reform.

The producers will be discussing these issues with officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, as well as with their state's Senators and respective regions' Representatives.

USCA President Jon Wooster noted, "U.S. cattle producers play a key role in pulling this country out of the recession, and getting on the right track towards economic prosperity. Key legislation and federal policies dealing with country of origin labeling, competition in the marketplace, and the prevention of the introduction of foot and mouth disease could be the difference between agricultural poverty and prosperity."

The fly-in will wrap up with a Wednesday, March 2nd Capitol Hill reception. For more information about the fly-in, or specific media based questions, please contact Kelly Fogarty at 202-870-3342.