GAIL STROCK
Mifflin Co. Correspondent
STATE COLLEGE (Centre
Co.) —Keeping an eye on legisla
tion that affects how we farm
seems to be the recurring theme at
many farm organization meetings
and annual conventions.
The same rang true for the Pen
nsylvania Cattlemen’s Associa
tion (PCA) when they scheduled
Greg Ruehle as the featured speak
er for the 21st Annual Cattlemen’s
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PCA Honors Members
Banquet and Membership Meeting
held recently at Toftrees Resort
Ruehle, director of the National
Cattlmen’s Association (NCA) in
Washington, D.C.. updated mem
bers about property rights protec
tion, the Endangered Species Act
inspection reform and user fees,
the 1995 Farm Bill, tax reform.
Clean Water Act reform, welfare
and food-assistance reform, the
federal budget foreign trade, and
animal drug availability.
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“The change in Congress has
had a profound effect on issues
important to members,” Ruehle
said. “When it comes to property
rights protection, we are looking
for more omnibus coverage.”
The National Cattlemen’s Asso
ciation supports S6OS. which
would require federal agencies to
analyze the impact of taking land
prior to action. It would also out*
line compensation should property
value be reduced by regulations
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At Banquet
and would provide alternatives to
litigation when ~ dealing with
property-rights violations.
Ruehle illustrated how the
Endangered Species Act (ESA)
effects not only property owners
but also the surrounding communi
ties. NCA supports reform of the
current species and habitat lists,
and wants recognition of the
importance of private property
rights and resulting ESA impact
NCA recognizes the need to
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Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 15, 1995-A29
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update the outdated Meat Inspec
tion Act of 1907 and the Poultry
Product Inspection Act to reduce
inequities in the system. Ruehle
also said NCA opposes user fees
for inspection.
As for the 1995 Farm Bill, NCA
supports a market-oriented farm
bill and opposes disproportionate
cuts in agricultural budgets for
programs such as research, animal
health, meat inspection, and mark
et promotion.
“Cattle production is
a generational activity,”
Ruehle said concerning
tax reform. “The way it
is taxed now, it’s almost
impossible to pass on a
self-sustaining, viable
farm operation.” NCA
is working toward
reduction of capital
gains taxes and estate
taxes, and toward 100
percent deductibility of
health insurance pre
miums for the self
employed.
As for Clean Water
Act Reform, Ruehle
said there has never
been a legislative deflni
tion of wetlands.
HR96I, which NCA
supports, provides for
voluntary, nonpoint
source programs with
incentives, exemption
of normal agricultural
activities from Section
404 of the Wetlands
provision, and private
property rights
protection.
Ruehle touched on
the importance of keep
ing beef as the corner
stone in creating nutri
tious school lunches.
NCA supports the
balanced budget amend
ment to the Constitution
and prudential line
item veto authority.
As for foreign trade,
Ruehle said beef stands
to pin because of NAF
TA. Ruehle said the
U.S. is the lowest cost
producer of the highest
quality of beef and high
quality beef is in
demand in Japan and
Korea.
Ruehle forecasts a
glut of beef going into
the summer months but
praises the efforts of the
Market Promotion
Program from the
USDA. It woiks along
with beef checkoff dol
lars to help open foreign
markets.
NCA supports legis
lation to speed the drug
approval process.
“We want a safe pro
duct that is efficient for
users, but the degree of
testing increases the
cost for users. We need
a balance.”
Ruehle talked about
public image programs
of the NCA, including
the Environmental Ste
wardship Program.
“It is gaining accep
tance with organizations
such as the National
Wildlife Federation, the
Audubon Society, and
the New York Times,”
Ruehle said. “Many of
these programs are a
result of the checkoff
program funding these