China Moves to Reopen Market to US Beef
US - China has announced it will lift its ban on US beef following a recently concluded review of the US supply system.
26 September 2016
1 minute read
The US's Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack welcomed the announcement: "This announcement is a critical first step to restore market access for US beef and beef products.
"We look forward to prompt engagement by the relevant authorities for further technical discussions on the specific conditions that will allow trade to resume. True access to China's beef market - consistent with science-based, international standards for trade - remains a top priority for the US.
"The United States produces the highest-quality beef in the world, and China's 1.3 billion consumers are an important market for US producers. The Obama Administration and USDA will continue to press trading partners to eliminate unfair barriers to trade that hamper American farmers and ranchers."
The US has been gradually reopening markets for beef exports over the past few years. Exports fell in 2003 following a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), but US beef shipments had regained pre-BSE volumes by 2011 and reached record values by 2014.
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