"This is an attempt by USDA to impose federal jurisdiction over multiple states and will weaken TB eradication efforts because such federal intervention would completely ignore and usurp the intrinsic synergies created when states individually and collectively seek excellence in protecting their respective boundaries from the introduction and spread of disease, Thornsberry pointed out.
Thornsberry also said USDA is inappropriately attempting to force the international zoning concept in the U.S. so it can expand its efforts to force zoning in other parts of the world.
This is contrary to the interests of U.S. cattle producers and in direct contradiction to legislation recently introduced in Congress by Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., and Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., along with Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D., and Rep. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., titled "Foot and Mouth Disease Protection Act (S. 337 and H.R. 1226, respectively) that would prevent USDA from zoning Argentina. This legislation is in response to USDA's proposal to impose zoning on Argentina to facilitate imports of fresh and frozen meat into the U.S. from Argentina, even though Argentina is known to have a continuing problem with FMD, the most contagious disease known to cattle.
R-CALF USA's comments also object to USDA's insistence that a new national animal identification system is needed to eradicate TB.
"We continue to push USDA to improve upon our existing, time-proven identification systems rather than to impose a costly, unproven mandatory National Animal Identification System, said Thornsberry. "USDA provides no evidence to support a need for any new form of animal identification other than what has been used successfully for decades to control TB.
"We are generally pleased with USDA's plan to strengthen our disease eradication efforts, but will aggressively insist that the plan must fully respect the geopolitical boundaries of the 50 states, as well as preserve and protect the rights and privileges of U.S. cattle producers, he concluded.
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R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALFUSA represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on trade and marketing issues. Members are located across 47 states and are primarily cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and/or feedlot owners. R-CALFUSA directors and committee chairs are extremely active unpaid volunteers. R-CALFUSA has dozens of affiliate organizations and various main-street businesses are associate members. For more information, visit www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.
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