Angie Craig: “the National Cattlemen's Beef Association does not represent the feeders. It represents the rank and file rancher, large…”

“the National Cattlemen's Beef Association does not represent the feeders. It represents the rank and file rancher, large and small, across our Nation. This letter says they oppose the amendment. It is very clearly, very clearly stated. We developed a futures market not only to look at current but future prices. Most of the livestock industry today effectively operates off of that and the market trends. Would I like to see more transparency? We all would like to see it. Does a government system and new government regulations dictating it cause it? The marketplace causes it. But this is a pilot program. Like it or not, it is new regulations in the process. As a former rancher, as a former cattle feeder, I will tell you this is a new set of Government regulations that may resolve the question for a very small number of operators. But for the industry itself-- large, small, packer, feeder, producer, cow-calf operator--this is not for what they are asking. I don't believe it is the effective way to do it. I hope you would support a motion to table.”