Text of letter from ICON to the Agriculture Committee of the Nebraska
Legislature on February 19, 2007, concerning LB632:
Dear Senators of the Agriculture Committee,
As the newest agricultural group in Nebraska that exclusively represents
the interests of independent, family oriented ranchers & farmers,
we are writing to encourage you to support and further the course of
the Legislative bills listed below.
It is our understanding that these bills will be before you on Tuesday,
February 20th for consideration.
LB 632 is a bill that will change the Animal ID statute to better reflect
the changes that have taken place at the National level. The United
State Department of Agriculture has announced that the National Animal
Identification System (NAIS) is to be a strictly voluntary program with
the option of "de-registering" premises. ICON agrees with
this philosophy and feels that there is a need for the state of Nebraska
to mirror these changes. Historically, the state of Nebraska has led
the nation in furthering the national agenda. We ask for your support
of LB 632 to continue that tradition.
LB 633 addresses the need of independent swine operators to be included
in the current Competitive Livestock Marketing Act. This is not an irrational
request as small farmers and ranchers are at the mercy of markets when
buying and selling. Open and fair marketing demands disclosure of contracts
and captive supplies. Our ability to establish fair market values for
our products relies on complete and honest information. If this information
is not available, the producer is forced to sell at a lower price, causing
economic repercussion. Market manipulation is common in a vertically
integrated sector of agriculture and can't be allowed to continue towards
the demise of family farms in this state. Please support LB 633 to provide
transparency in the marketplace for our products.
LB 634 is another important bill that we are asking you to support
and move out of committee. The Feedlot Statutory Trust Act is needed
to close loopholes in livestock commerce. There are documented cases
of cattle sellers who have suffered extreme hardship as a result of
actions between feedlots and financial institutions that are not in
the interest of the producer. This Act provides the protections and
safeguards that are needed in this new era of cattle buying and selling.
In the interest of representing all factions of livestock commerce,
we ask that you understand the concerns of livestock producers across
the state and show your support of LB 634.
We are listening to our membership and taking their concerns seriously
and hope that you will do the same when considering these bills.
Sincerely,
Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska (ICON)