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USMEF Watching New Beef Agreement Between Canada and China

published: June 2nd 2010
source: NAFB News Service

The U.S. Meat Export Federation is interested to see what a new agreement to open China to Canadian beef will mean for U.S. beef. USMEF estimates the value of the Chinese market for U.S. beef exports to be upwards of 200-million dollars. Noting that Canada and the U.S. have received the same controlled risk designation from the World Organization for Animal Health - USMEF says its officials will be watching for final details of the Canada-China agreement.

Early reports indicate the agreement will be a staged process - starting with access for beef from cattle under 30 months of age - as well as beef tallow for industrial use. USMEF says it’s a solution that appears to be fashioned in recognition of the needs and expectations of China. They say it’s evident the Canadian government made restoring beef access to key export markets a top priority on its foreign trade agenda. Given the size and importance of the Chinese market - USMEF notes the U.S. beef industry has made restoring beef access to China its highest trade priority. While the Administration has stated this is a priority for them as well - National Cattlemen's Beef Association President Steve Foglesong says they have failed to take action.

Further - Foglesong says a Congressional "do as we say, not as we do" attitude when it comes to science-based trade protocols is continuing to hurt the country's reputation with international trading partners and hindering our ability to move forward on trade deals that could open up the doors for U.S. beef overseas. He says the U.S. is now in a position of being outpaced and outhustled by competing nations - which is putting American jobs and market share at risk. If we want to keep American family farms in business - he says it's critical we expand opportunities to sell beef in the international marketplace.