Another way NCBA is showing Congress the value of these tax provisions is through the NCBA Tax Survey . We launched this survey in July , and it will run through the end of 2023 . NCBA encourages all cattle producers to complete the survey to help us better understand how provisions like the Death Tax , stepped up basis , like-kind exchanges , and other programs support family-owned farms and ranches . Please take a moment to complete the survey by clicking the button below .
CLICK HERE FOR TAX SURVEY
Cell-Cultured Protein
At the NCBA Summer Business Meeting in July , our members passed a directive to continue our push for transparent labeling and inspection of cell-derived protein products . Cell-derived proteins are a new technology using animal cells to “ grow ” protein products in a laboratory . The technology is still very new , and no beef imitations are currently on the market ; however , chicken imitations are now available in small quantities in two restaurants within the U . S . Cattle producers are not afraid of any competition , and are confident consumers will continue choosing real meat , particularly beef , but these new cell-derived products must be accurately labeled so consumers know what they are eating . NCBA has already successfully engaged with USDA to make sure these products are inspected by USDA ’ s Food Safety and Inspection Service . NCBA will now turn our attention to Congress to push for clear , truthful labeling of these new cell-derived proteins .
Farm Bill
While the exact timing for the 2023 Farm Bill has been constantly changing , NCBA ’ s priorities and lobbying efforts have remained the same — protect voluntary conservation programs , strengthen risk management and disaster programs for producers , and shore up funding for the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank ( NAVVCB ) that NCBA secured in the 2018 Farm Bill . No matter when this must-pass legislation is advanced by Congress , NCBA will be at the table to ensure cattle producers get a Farm Bill that works for them .
In the 2018 Farm Bill , NCBA secured the creation of the vaccine bank , which currently houses the footand-mouth disease ( FMD ) vaccine and the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program ( NADPRP ) This program allows for government entities to collaborate with animal health partners to implement projects that enhance prevention , preparedness , detection and response to the most damaging emerging and foreign animal diseases that threaten U . S . agriculture . In the 2023 Farm Bill , NCBA is calling on Congress to continue mandatory funding for the vaccine bank , along with mandatory funding for NADPRP , and the National Animal Health Laboratory Network ( NAHLN ), which is a critical program that conducts animal disease surveillance and testing to aid the rapid response effort in the event of an outbreak .
NCBA President Todd Wilkinson testified in a House Agriculture subcommittee hearing earlier this year on the state of the livestock industry . He spoke bluntly to Congress about the need to fund these animal health measures in the Farm Bill , telling them that food security is national security . He went on to explain the economic impacts of a FMD outbreak and how , if there was an outbreak on U . S . soil , it would result in a devastating loss of more than $ 10 billion from the U . S . economy . These programs already have bipartisan and bicameral support , but NCBA is leaving no stone unturned in this Farm Bill cycle , leading the charge for the animal agriculture industry to shore up our national defense against the threat of foreign animal diseases .
NCBA is also still working to ensure funds from the 2018 Farm Bill are used to benefit producers . Earlier this year , NCBA received funding from USDA to advance the Secure Beef Supply Plan ( SBS ) in the event of a FMD disease outbreak in the U . S . The SBS Plan provides workable continuity measures for beef cattle operations with no evidence of FMD infection during a FMD outbreak . Funding for the SBS Plan is critical in continuing to defend the U . S . cattle herd from the threat of FMD , and combining the SBS Plan with the national vaccine bank provides a strong safety net for cattle producers and multiple tools to mitigate risk from a potential outbreak .
DIRECTIONS 2023 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN 9