CALF_News_April_May_2019

36 CALF News • April | May 2019 • www.calfnews.net Sec. Perdue Addresses Nation's Beef Industry By Larry Stalcup Contributing Editor “I tell the President that farmers are expecting you to make a deal.” That comment from Secretary of Agri- culture Sonny Perdue on the importance of a solid trade U.S. deal with China and other countries echoed what cattle produc- ers and feeders presume President Donald Trump will do to calm trade-war worries and consequences. Sec. Perdue was keynote speaker at the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans. He addressed several thousand during the convention’s closing general session on Feb. 1. States wants “core fundamental reforms,” – things that need to be resolved like “intellec- tual property transfer,” Perdue said.“We are comfortable with competing [with China] but everybody has to play by the rules.” He noted that after hosting a Chinese vice premier for dinner in January, the official said, “We had a wonderful U.S. steak. I think our people would enjoy more of that.” However, the United States can’t “be too overly dependent on China,” Perdue said.“We need a lot of customers around the world. …Hopefully we can get a good deal with Japan sooner than later” and not be harmed by TPP when it begins. Perdue also addressed the issue of “self-cultured” or “fake” meat.“USDA has always had the protein sector [to regulate], and we jealously guard the USDA-certified beef stamp,” he pointed out.“When it comes to self-cultured proteins, USDA will be there, guarding the safety [of the product] and properly labeling it to let consumer know [the nature of the product].” He encouraged beef producers to know and educate their customers and be transparent.“You have to know your ulti- mate consumer,” Perdue explained.“You don’t have anything to be ashamed about in the U.S. beef industry. “No longer can we stand behind the cattle guard on farms and ranches. There is an aggressive animal welfare unit that wants to know how you treat animals. We need to proudly open up transparency. We have to combat misinformation on social media. Nothing beats the truth. We need to tell consumers the truth.” Silly shutdown Perdue didn’t mind criticizing the partial government shut- down earlier this year, saying the biggest opponents of a border wall had called for strong border security in the past. “I think the shutdown was silly. People expect Congress and administration to get the job done,” he said.“President Obama, Sen. Schumer and Speaker Pelosi in the past have talked about border security. But simply because they don’t want to give a political victory to the President, they’re now saying no, no, no. “That’s not what American politics is about. The American people expect people [Congress and the President] to compro- mise for the good of the country.” As for the need for a wall, Perdue said,“Why do you have fences on your farm or ranch? Why don’t you let you and your neighbor’s cows all roam together? Isn’t that what we’re talking about with border security? “Nations have barriers to protect their national security. We need to recognize and stop silly politics, and make a difference in protecting our national security.”  Many in the crowd have seen cattle markets pressured due to the Trump administration’s trade shake-ups in Mexico and Canada before a deal was made to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). However, export market pressure from pulling the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partner- ship (TPP), along with the China syndrome have hurt crop and livestock producers. While beef producers are concerned about trade, they remain highly supportive of Trump and showed it, giving Perdue several standing ovations in support of border security, better immigration policy, lower taxes and reduced federal regulations that hamper ranch, farm and feedyard operations. Perdue noted that even though the President grew up in New York City real estate,“he understands what you do” and “never fails to ask me, ‘How are our farmers?’” He said he informs the President that crop and livestock producers are troubled mainly by these major issues – “No. 1 is trade, No. 2 is trade, No. 3 is trade and so on.” In negotiating with China and other countries, the United T H E C A T T L E C O M M U N I T Y G A T H E R S I N N E W O R L E A N S