Two of the top policy concerns for National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in 2012 involve justice and transportation issues.
The Equal Access to Justice Act is one issue that many may not be familiar with – I know I wasn’t. NCBA Government Affairs Vice President Colin Woodall explains. “This is a long-standing government program that was put in place to allow people who don’t have the financial means available to sue the government,” said Colin. That includes people like veterans, widows of vets, people trying to get benefits, etc. “Unfortunately, it’s been hijacked by extremists groups who are using the money to sue the Department of Interior, the Forest Service, to get federal lands ranchers kicked off their land. They’re using taxpayer money to fund their activist agenda.”
Colin says NCBA is having to education members of Congress about the act and how it is being used by these groups. They hope to add more transparency to the act and put a cap on the amount of money that can be used and those who qualify for it.
Regarding transportation, Colin says they are working on legislation to create uniform transportation laws across all states and helping states adopt transportation laws that increase allowable weight, length and trailer requirements. NCBA also supports giving states the option to increase truck weights with an additional axle to livestock and semi-trailers to increase braking power and place less total weight on each axle, making livestock transportation safer and less stressful on U.S. roadways. Finally, NCBA is opposing a federal requirement of commercial driver’s licenses for farmers and ranchers.
Listen to or download my interview with Colin here: Colin Woodall Interview