By National Cattlemen Beef Association [5]
WASHINGTON (July 20, 2011) – The U.S. debt ceiling continues to dominate debate in Washington, D.C., this week. A great deal of the discussion hinges on job creation and fiscal responsibility. However, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs Colin Woodall said more attention should be given to curbing the administration’s onslaught of “burdensome, costly and scientifically unfounded” regulations as a way to cut spending and prevent further job loss in rural America.
“There are so many factors being overlooked inside the Beltway that could stimulate the economy, create jobs and assist in reducing wasteful, unnecessary spending. The administration would minimize, if not eliminate, the risk of pushing farmers, ranchers and small businesses out of business if needless, costly regulations were never proposed. This is a real threat and one that needs to be addressed during spending debates,” said Woodall.
Several members of Congress, including Congresswoman Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), agree that overregulation is a costly concern for farm and ranch families.
“When I ask South Dakota producers what is the number one thing we can do in Washington, D.C., to help create jobs and grow our agricultural economy, the answer is simple: Give us more regulatory certainty,” said Rep. Noem. “Not knowing what threatening regulation might be coming down the line from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dampens any small business owner’s appetite for expanding their operation or hiring another employee. I believe it is essential that we stop the job-destroying overreach of the EPA, so we can give our producers the certainty they need to create jobs and grow our economy.”
According to Woodall, NCBA fully intends to continue bringing widespread attention to the administration’s “unprecedented” government overreach. Most recently, NCBA has turned to social media as way to do just that. On its YouTube channel, NCBA is tackling the administration’s regulatory overreach, he said. On July 20, 2011, NCBA launched its “Regulatory Train Wreck” video, which presents the slew of regulations posing a threat to U.S. cattle ranchers. Woodall said if regulatory oversight does not become a priority, the administration’s regulatory train could send farmers and ranchers into bankruptcy, which would be “detrimental” for the U.S. economy and food security.