We might use different words or turns of phrase, we might wear different clothing, but we all have a shared sense of values that come from the hard work that is necessary to succeed in the cattle business.
From the President
Buck Wehrbein
WORKING WITH OUR NEIGHBORS TO THE SOUTH
Recently, I had the chance to travel to Mexico for the annual conference of the Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas( National Confederation of Livestock Organizations or CNOG). CNOG is the cattle industry organization for Mexican cattlemen and, for many years, NCBA has maintained a strong relationship with this group because many of the issues we face occur beyond our borders. The growing threat of New World screwworm is a serious issue for Mexican cattle producers in the same way it is to American producers.
In the 1960s, state and national cattle industry groups including NCBA, banded together to eradicate the screwworm, pushing it all the way back to Central America. That action had the added benefit of helping Mexican producers as well.
When screwworms advanced out of Panama and into Mexico last year, NCBA began working with USDA to strengthen our defenses against this deadly pest. To protect U. S. cattle producers, while still allowing trade, we worked to put in place a robust series of protocols on both sides of the border. At the same time, NCBA also supported USDA’ s efforts as they coordinated flights between Panama and southern Mexico to transport sterile screwworm flies to be released near the location of screwworm cases in Mexico, keeping the pests contained behind critical phytosanitary borders far from the U. S. Unfortunately, the Mexican government created countless unnecessary barriers to these flights, resulting in the spread of screwworm flies north toward the U. S. and forcing USDA to enact a border closure because the interlocking safeguards that protected U. S. producers failed.
When I had the opportunity to speak during my recent trip, I hammered home how aggravating it was to hear that planes carrying sterile screwworm flies were ordered not to land, or that the Mexican government was giving the plane company paperwork grief when every passing day only increased the threat of screwworm infestation. Looking around the room, there were nodding heads, not shaking heads, and that speaks to producers’ appreciation for our work that has the side benefit of supporting their industry too.
We might use different words or turns of phrase, we might wear different clothing, but we all have a shared sense of values that come from the hard work that is necessary to succeed in the cattle business.
As I have traveled through the United States and abroad, I found that cattle people are similar regardless of where you go. We might use different words or turns of phrase, we might wear different clothing, but we all have a shared sense of values that come from the hard work that is necessary to succeed in the cattle business.
Mexican cattlemen are no different. I do not envy the position they are in, but I am exceedingly grateful for NCBA and the relationship we have with our U. S. officials.
Still, it’ s important that NCBA continues to engage, and by working with CNOG on key issues, we can help protect the American cattle industry. Without the intervention of NCBA and USDA, New World screwworm would have ripped through Mexico at an even faster pace, posing much more of a threat to the American cattle herd.
Although NCBA supports the temporary border closure, it will have significant impacts for cattle producers in both Mexico and in the U. S. It’ s crucial that we quickly implement both effective animal health protocols and lasting fly countermeasures to contain and ultimately push New World screwworms back into South America. It’ s equally important to recognize that these flies don’ t understand international boundaries, so we must also be looking at how we can use effective inspection protocols to continue our crossborder trade. Simultaneous consideration of economic and animal health impacts is not an easy task, but one we must push for. The sooner both these steps are completed, the sooner we’ ll be able to restore normal trading patterns.
I lived in Texas for 20 years, and I always knew the relationship between American and Mexican producers was significant, but this trip really solidified for me the important aspects of this relationship. Every Mexican producer in the room also understood the importance of our partnership.
Thank you for being a member of NCBA and putting your trust in us to represent you and protect your interests, both here at home and abroad. Until next time, happy trails! www. NCBA. org NATIONAL CATTLEMEN 5