KLA POLICY FOCUSES ON ISSUES AFFECTING LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS 

     Policy on trichomoniasis, animal care, country-of-origin labeling (COOL), taxes and other issues important to the livestock industry was approved by KLA members December 6 during the annual convention in Wichita. Broad member input is reflected in the final resolutions. The policy discussions started at regional roundtable meetings earlier this fall, progressed through committee and council meetings at the convention and concluded with final approval by the general KLA membership. KLA members ultimately approved 55 resolutions that will guide the association’s officers and staff as they represent members’ common business interests during 2014.
     An existing resolution was amended by members to support the harmonization of trichomoniasis regulations among states.
     Members amended policy to not only support producer implementation of cattle care guidelines contained in the Beef and Dairy Quality Assurance programs, but also those included in the National Dairy FARM Program.
     Mandatory COOL is addressed in KLA member policy. The organization supports regulatory and/or statutory changes to the current labeling program that will achieve World Trade Organization compliance and avoid trade disruptions or retaliatory action by beef trading partners Canada and Mexico.
     KLA members reaffirmed policy opposing attempts to institute the initiative and referendum (I&R) process in Kansas. I&R in other states has served as a tool for activist interests to subvert the legislative process, including on some regulatory issues affecting animal agriculture.
     Language in another resolution supports changes to the state’s High Performance Incentive Program that would allow agricultural operations to benefit from the sales tax exemption provisions it contains. Livestock production is virtually the only industry in Kansas not eligible for these benefits.
     Existing KLA policy on taxes was amended in response to a federal proposal under consideration in Congress. Members oppose limiting or restricting the use of cash basis accounting by agricultural entities.
     KLA members oppose state legislation that would enact more restrictive immigration policies than exist under federal law. Instead, the association supports federal policy that would allow for an efficient and adequate guest worker program and provide opportunities for current employees to legally complete the immigration process.
     Because transportation is such an important part of every livestock enterprise, KLA members retained policy supporting changes in the maximum gross vehicle weight limit for Kansas trucks traveling to and from the market to a level compatible with those imposed by neighboring states.

KLA President Elect Jeff Sternberger, a cattle feeder from Garden City, invites KLA members and guests to attend the KLA Convention in Wichita.