U.S. Cattlemen support new Interior Secretary

The United States Cattlemen’s Association will lend its full support to President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Rep. Ryan Zinke to the position of Secretary of the Interior, according to USCA vice president Bert Paris.

They will continue dialogue with Zinke throughout the transition process.

“Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke has shown through a career of public service as a Navy Seal and in Congress his dedication and loyalty to America and its citizens. He will bring his experience and qualifications to the position of Interior Secretary,” Paris said.

“Rep. Zinke has proven experience working with the federal land management agencies to protect public lands, manage natural resources, and provide opportunity for those who live, hunt, recreate, and make their living on public lands. Rep. Zinke's professional and personal backgrounds within the natural resources and conservation sectors will serve cattle producers well across the country in the coming years.”

USCA’s focus remains on continuing work currently underway as the transition process looms and ensuring producers’ voices are heard as one administration caps its term and a new one begins.

“USCA stressed the importance for both administrations to consider the current state of the U.S. livestock industry in the transition process,” USCA marketing committee chairman Allan Sents said of the letter. “The Farmer Fair Practices rule initiated and lead by the current administration clarifies language in the Packers and Stockyards Act that eliminates the need for producers to provide proof of competitive injury to the entire industry in order to file a complaint. Releasing this interim final rule would be an important step towards creating true price discovery and leveling the playing field for all U.S. cattle producers.”

The USCA also outlined a list of priority issues to be addressed by the incoming administration. In its letter to President-Elect Donald Trump, the USCA requests a seamless transition, as to account for producers and the livestock industry which will continue its work regardless of the Inauguration.

“The incoming administration must in turn take up these efforts to ensure necessary revisions and enhancements are completed and that additional issue areas within the industry are addressed,” Sents said. “Work must continue during the transition process to help restore and maintain stability in the U.S. livestock marketplace.”

The USCA was established in 2007, is committed to enhancing and expanding the cattle industry’s voice on Capitol Hill. USCA has a full-time presence in Washington, giving cattle producers across the country a strong influence on policy development. For more information go to www.uscattlemen.org.