After a week of meetings on the Trans Pacific Partnership, trade ministers from a dozen nations left Hawaii last weekend with issues still unresolved but USTR Michael Froman says they remain optimistic. “We have made significant progress and will continue work on resolving a limited number of remaining issues,” said Froman, reading a joint statement from the ministers at the … Read More
Five Nations Beef Alliance Says TPP Must Deliver
Beef producers from Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) member countries are calling for a high-quality market access deal on beef to be secured at the TPP ministerial meeting in Hawaii in late July. The group make up the Five Nations Beef Alliance (FNBA) and include Cattle Council of Australia, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Confederacion Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, … Read More
Administration Places Politics Over Producers
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association stands firmly opposed to regulation from the USDA APHIS for the Importation of Fresh Beef from Northern Argentina and a Region in Brazil, not on the basis of trade but on the basis of animal health concerns. These areas have a known history of Foot-and-Mouth disease and this ruling would allow the inspection process to … Read More
TPA Finally Passes Congress
After lots of drama and much political posturing, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) finally cleared the final hurdle before being sent to the president’s desk, passing the U.S. Senate Wednesday by a vote of 60-38. “As the demand for U.S. beef continues to grow around the world, the future success of the beef industry rests in our ability to meet foreign … Read More
Senate Ag Committee to Hold Hearing on COOL
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry will hold a hearing on Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) and trade retaliations on Thursday, June 25 at 10am to discuss what is at stake for America’s farmers, ranchers, businesses and consumers. The hearing will take place in G50 Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington D.C. and webcast live on ag.senate.gov. U.S. … Read More
Livestock Groups Pleased with TPA Passage
The U.S. House passed Trade Promotion Authority Thursday by a vote of 218-208 getting fast track back on track, making the U.S. meat and dairy industry happy. “Trade Promotion Authority gives Congress the ability to set definitive goals for the President in negotiations, and then requires any deal be brought back for final approval,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president … Read More
Nebraska Trade Mission Focuses on Beef
CNH Industrial welcomed Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts this week at the Expo Milano “Sustainable Farm Pavilion” sponsored by its agricultural machinery brand New Holland Agriculture. Also while the Governor was overseas with members of the trade mission team to the European Union, he met with a beef distributor in Italy. Their discussion was focused on driving the value and demand … Read More
House Votes to Repeal COOL for Meat
By a vote of 300 to 131, the House of Representatives passed legislation late Wednesday to repeal Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) for beef, pork and chicken. “I am thankful for the support of my colleagues today in passing this common-sense, bipartisan bill that is a necessary targeted response to avoid retaliation from Canada and Mexico,” said House Agriculture Committee … Read More
State of Ag, Trade Topics During #WPX15
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad along with Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds spent some time at the Iowa Fairgrounds during World Pork Expo 2015 held is Des Moines, Iowa. While onsite, they spoke to dozens of Iowa pork producers as well as address a crowd during the SIP luncheon hosted by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). Branstad noted that Iowa … Read More
Pro-COOL Forces Fight Back
Members of the National Farmers Union (NFU) have headed to Capitol Hill this week to urge their Congressional representatives to keep COOL and allow the World Trade Organization (WTO) process to conclude without interference. Sixty Farmers Union members from 27 states are working to meet with a targeted group of legislators in response to the final WTO ruling against Country … Read More