Cattlemen Disappointed at USDA's Action

August 27, 2001

USDA ‘s delay of the effective date of an amendment to the export sales reporting requirements regulation has not been met with any applause from cattlemen. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association says it is "disappointed" in the action that again delays a process that began in 1996.

The amendment, which added fresh, chilled or frozen muscle cuts of beef to the regulation, will now take effect on Jan. 11; the original effective date of Aug. 24 was delayed because USDA did not anticipate the extent of the changes needed to the reporting system on beef export sales. USDA says the delay will allow the necessary preparation time to modify and test its reporting system and to develop detailed reporting instructions for the affected reporting entities.

"USDA's announcement on July 25, 2001, was expected to be the final step in a process that began with the original notice in November of 1996," NCBA said in a statement. USDA's latest action will again delay the reporting requirements that provide producers with the information needed to make timely and informed marketing decisions, the statement continued. The reporting requirements were to include certain beef to the list of commodities subject to be reported under FAS export sales report.

"Beef export demand is expected to continue increasing in the future; therefore, it is vital that producers have timely indicators of current export market activity. Currently available export information is over two months old. Under the new rule, exporters will be required to report, on a weekly basis, information concerning the quantity, country of destination, and marketing period of shipment for their export sales," NCBA said.

NCBA said it has "voiced concerns with USDA about this delay and has received assurance that export reports will be updated in a timely manner. We will continue to press USDA to assure export reporting is implemented."