Industry Issues
Electronic logging device/hours-of-service rules
The electronic logging device mandate and existing hours-of-service regulations pose signficant concerns for the livestock industry, restricting hauler's on-duty time to 14 hours, with a maximum
drive time of 11 consecutive hours, and then a 10-hour rest. For the great majority of trips made by our livestock haulers, this is simply not enough time to accommodate the realities of hauling live
animals from North Dakota, a primarily cow-calf-producing state located a considerable distance from large-scale processing faciilties and many finishing lots.
Private property rights
The NDSA believes the right to own property is the cornerstone to a free society and firmly opposes an infringement of its lawful luse.
Livestock development
The NDSA stood up against new rules that would have allowed for non-science-based decision-making in animal feeding operating permit procedures and was successful in getting them changed.
Farm Bill
The NDSA has articulated your priorities for the Farm Bill to important decision-makers, attending dozens of field hearings, roundtable discussions and face-to-face meetings on this topic.
Fake meat
As lab-grown meat prepares to come to the commercial marketplace, NDSA members want to ensure that it is not allowed to disparage conventionally raised meat and that it too is subject to an
appropriate regulatory framework so real beef has a level playing field and consumers know exactly what it is when they are shopping. NDSA passed the following policy at its 2017 annual convention & trade show:
IMITATION OR LAB-GROWN PROTEIN – 17 (RE)
WHEREAS, there is an increase in investment toward the development of imitation or lab-grown protein sources, some of which use meat terminology in their product names.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports educational efforts to inform consumers on the value of meat in the diet and the difference between meat and imitation or lab-grown meat products.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA supports truth in labeling rules that would clarify that difference.
Trade
International trade accounts for approximately $320 worth of value on every head sold in the United States. As such, cattle producers support open markets and science-based standards in trade.