Cattlemen Fire Relief Coming

September 7, 2000

Remedies to deal with wildfire and drought losses should soon be available to cattle producers, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association said Wednesday. NCBA received assurances from the Departments of Interior and Agriculture following meetings NCBA held with grazing officials and letters NCBA sent to the agencies.

Responding to cattle producer concerns, Interior and Agriculture officials sent a letter to the NCBA saying the departments have taken necessary steps to help producers deal with widespread drought and wildfires. The Department of Interior said it has given Bureau of Land Management (BLM) state directors the authority to adjust land management practices to adapt to drought conditions. Some of these adjustments include opening rested pastures, and allowing grazing extensions where substantial non_use has occurred.

USDA said it has contacted each regional forest service agency to ensure it is doing an adequate job of providing more grazing flexibility to producers. During the meeting last week with officials, NCBA pointed out that the parched conditions across the southern and western United States already have caused great financial losses for cattle ranchers and that the government

could help alleviate greater drought_caused losses by taking the proper steps to help the livestock industry.

"Cattle producers across the United States, and especially in the West are faced with drought and wildfires that threaten to destroy their livelihoods," said Mike Byrne, chairman of NCBA Federal Lands Committee. "It's times like these when cattle producers need government programs that

are flexible for producer need and provide the emergency disaster assistance

that is necessary."

What the end of this fire season will bring remains to be seen. Still, NCBA will continue working with the federal government to take more actions to lessen the affect of this year's losses.