Politics and cows: A meeting that promises more than promises
Imagine the scene: the Senate of the Republic, that place where topics are usually debated that sometimes seem as distant to us as the last season of a series that everyone watches except you, was the *setting* of a meeting that put a charro hat on formality. Senator Olga Sosa Ruíz sat down with the Association of Livestock Women of Mexico (Mugam) and with Sabino Herrera, the president of the livestock commission, for a work meeting. Basically, the political equivalent of a WhatsApp chat group, but with agendas, bitter coffee and, supposedly, solutions for Tamaulipas.
The morenista senator, in an opening speech that surely had its share of rhetoric, acknowledged what everyone already knows: being a livestock woman in Mexico is not exactly a walk in the country. This economic activity, which is the second most important in the state within the primary sector (yes, right after what you are thinking), is plagued with obstacles. And no, we’re not just talking about brave bulls. Although there are collective efforts, the challenges are as local and specific as the flavor of an artisanal cheese, with the noble purpose of making this work more dynamic and, pay attention to the keyword, inclusive.
The wish list (and complaints) of the livestock sector
At the negotiation table, or on the tablecloth, VIP issues were put on the table. At the top of the list is health control, because no one likes to import sick cattle. The final objective is to be able to open the export of livestock and release the pressure that is suffocating this sector. Basically, they want a passport for cows. There was also talk of strengthening producer organizations, promoting trade and constant training that is accompanied by technological tools. Because even livestock farming needs its dose of digitalization to improve productivity; Apparently, a good whistle is no longer enough.
But not everything is bright future. The senator also pointed out areas of opportunity, which is a fancy way of saying “serious problems.” He spoke of the “decrease in livestock inventories”, a euphemism for the crisis caused by soil degradation, overgrazing and the drop in forage production. In Christian: the land is tired and the cows have less to eat. The proposed solution includes having “more verification and surveillance points” and more efficient traceability schemes. In other words, a GPS for each cow, to know where it was born, what it ate and what playlist it listened to.
And like in any good Mexican soap opera, there are also villains. The issue of the necessary incorporation of new generations into this productive activity was addressed (because young people seem to prefer *streaming* to milking) and the always thorny issue of floor collection. This last point directly affects tranquility and commercialization, reminding us that sometimes the biggest predator of livestock is not the jaguar, but organized crime.
To close with a flourish, Senator Sosa Ruíz reaffirmed her commitment to this sector, which means jobs, economy and well-being for families. She highlighted that it is a key sector in Tamaulipas and that her presence that day reinforced her promise to be the voice of all women in the Senate, where – in her words – they have an unconditional ally. A phrase that sounds so good that we almost, almost, believe it.
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