Spirited discussion and careful deliberation were in high gear in Dallas for the 2003 Cattle Industry Summer Conference.

Among the many issues on the table was country of origin labeling, with the board of directors of the NCBA voting to direct staff to petition the USDA to immediately develop and implement a voluntary "born, raised and processed" country of origin labeling certification program for use in the export, foodservice and retail sales of U.S. beef.

In the event that no changes can be made to the current law to benefit producers, NCBA will seek an extension of the current voluntary guidelines until a workable labeling program can be implemented. In addition, NCBA would then work to create a task force representing all industry segments and USDA that can develop a workable program to be used as a guide and model for compliance with the requirements of the country of origin labeling law.

NCBA members also passed a 2004 fiscal year budget for the organization for both the Federation of State Beef Councils and Policy Divisions. The year begins Oct. 1.

The Federation Division passed a budget of $61.775 million, with $45.75 million devoted to programs designed to increase domestic demand for beef. In addition, budgets for $2 million in producer communications and $1.9 million in international markets implementation were also passed.

For the Policy Division, a budget of $7.65 million was passed. The Policy Division provides lobbying and information service in Washington, D.C. and Denver to the organization's members and affiliates.

To simplify a currently-complex membership system, a new dues structure was adopted. The new structure will reduce the number of membership alternatives within NCBA from seven to two. The new structure is intended to strengthen the relationship between affiliates and NCBA and be more inclusive of all cattlemen, specifically cow-calf producers.

"It was a very productive and forward-looking meeting," according to Eric Davis, NCBA president. "The members at the sessions gave the issues a thorough look, and the discussions were thoughtful and reasoned. While as an industry we'll never completely agree on everything, I believe these are actions we can get behind as members and make this organization as strong as it can be." ©