ktuu.com

It appears that Rep. Krisiti Noem has been bought and paid for by “Big Ag.” When the House Ag Committee voted on the new farm bill, there were two amendments added that could be very detrimental to farmers and ranchers in South Dakota.

The first, introduced by Republican Randy Neugebauer of Texas, opens the door for more congressional tampering with the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law. It would require the secretary of agriculture to file a written report with both the House and Senate committees, detailing the steps being taken to bring certain aspects of COOL into compliance with the WTO’s findings that segregating cattle at the point of harvest imposes a burden on Canadian cattle.

This amendment opens up the door for the deeppocketed COOL oposition, NCBA and the NPPC to try to alter the law or strip it completely. The House Ag Committee voted 34-12 to support the amendment. Noem was with the majority.

The second amendment, brought forth by Texas Republican Mike Conaway, would prohibit the USDA’s Grain Inspection and Packers and Stockyard administrations from conducting any further work on the GIPSA rule, an effort by the Obama Administration to clarify language in laws dealing with competition and antitrust supported by thousands of livestock producers across the country.

The big meat producers, NCBA and the Nationl Pork Producers, are spending thousands of dollars to do just that.

A check of the facts shows Noem received $7,000 from the NCBA and NPPC this past election. Conaway and Neugebauer received over $10,000 each.

The NCBA has invested more than $260,000 in campaigns, in the House of Represenatives this past election. These figures do not include the “soft,” unregulated or private donations.

It appears Rep. Noem is voting the way “Big Ag” told her to vote. Not doing what is best for South Dakota farmers and ranchers.

Dwain Buntrock Columbia