Every day , the National Cattlemen ’ s Beef Association ( NCBA ) is fighting for cattle producers in Congress , the White House and federal agencies . NCBA is especially focused on blocking new regulations from impacting farms and ranches . From newly proposed Endangered Species Act designations , to expiring tax provisions that would make the Death Tax more onerous , the threats to cattle producers are numerous . Thankfully , many of NCBA ’ s greatest victories have been keeping the government far away from your operation .

Trade

International trade and foreign markets remain top of mind in NCBA ’ s advocacy efforts , including encouraging the Biden administration to engage on trade agreements and holding U . S . trade partners accountable . After a record breaking 2022 for foreign beef exports , the Biden administration took an unconscionable step back from focusing on U . S . agricultural exports , including not working on any meaningful trade agreements . U . S . cattle producers benefit from significant added value from international trade , totaling $ 447.58 / head in 2022 , and NCBA is ramping up pressure on the Biden administration to double down on U . S . beef exports .

NCBA heavily supported the United States-Taiwan Initiative on the 21st-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act which not only will support expanded U . S . trade with Taiwan and sets requirements to increase trade negotiations but also reaffirms congressional authority on trade agreements . After facing pressure from Congress and outside groups , President Biden signed this bill into law on Aug . 7 , 2023 , which is a step in the right direction to supporting expanded foreign trade .

NCBA is working to ensure the U . S . is on equal footing with our trade partners and that those partners , like Brazil , are held accountable when they act in bad faith . For two years , NCBA has been calling for USDA to hold Brazil accountable for their inexcusable , lax animal disease reporting practices by banning Brazilian beef imports until further notice . After these repeated calls , USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack finally sent a letter to the Brazil ’ s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock stating Brazil ’ s response time in reporting atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy ( BSE ) is significantly slower than other beef exporting countries , and they need to streamline their animal disease reporting processes . Secretary Vilsack stressed that timely reporting is critical for the U . S . to remain as a trading partner with Brazil .

While the USDA letter acknowledges our science-based concerns with Brazil ’ s inept standards , the burden is on Brazil to prove they can meet our high standards and they will take the necessary steps to prove it . The USDA letter is a warning shot to Brazil , and NCBA will remain vigilant and work with USDA to hold Brazil accountable and further safeguard the U . S . cattle herd .

Taxes

When the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was passed in 2017 , the bill provided several essential tax provisions supporting cattle producers and their ability to pass their farms and ranches on to the next generation . Unfortunately , several of those key provisions are set to expire by the end of 2025 , unless Congress takes action to renew them .

NCBA is championing efforts by Congress to make those tax provisions permanent . This includes supporting estate repeal bills such as Sen . John Thune ’ s ( SD ) Death Tax Repeal Act and the Preserving Family Farms Act introduced by Reps . Jimmy Panetta ( CA ) and Mike Kelly ( PA ). NCBA is also supporting the Main Street Certainty Act , introduced by Rep . Lloyd Smucker ( PA ), which would make the Section 199A tax provision permanent . All these bills would greatly ease the tax burden placed on cattle producers after the current tax relief expires .

8 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN DIRECTIONS 2023