U.S. Secretary of Ag Sonny Perdue (center) is joined by Craig Uden (left), president of the NCBA, and Luan Richeng (right), of state-owned Chinese importer COFCO. U.S. Secretary of Ag Sonny Perdue joined National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Craig Uden for a ceremonial “Cutting of the Prime Rib.” The Nebraska prime rib formally marked the return of U.S. beef … Read More
Increased Access to Chinese Market for U.S. Dairy Exporters
U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), the National Milk Producers Federation(NMPF) and officials from the U.S. and China have reached an accord on dairy trade by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will increase access to China for more than 200 U.S. dairy exporters. The action creates new opportunities for dairy farmers and processors, and the milk, cheese, infant formula … Read More
Dairy & Poultry Groups Say Modernize NAFTA
Leading animal agricultural groups representing the dairy and poultry sectors spoke out this week highlighting what a NAFTA modernization would mean for each of their prospective industries. The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) sent comments to the U.S. Trade Representative describing the existing North American dairy landscape as one in which U.S. dairy … Read More
U.S. Beef Access to China Takes Another Step Forward
The Trump Administration has taken steps toward commercial shipment of U.S. beef and beef products to China for the first time since 2003. The USDA has reached agreement with Chinese officials on final details of a protocol to allow the U.S. to begin the beef exports to China. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement: “Today is a … Read More
USMEF Discusses the State of the Industry
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) conducted a press conference prior to the USMEF Spring Conference in Arlington, Virginia. The call featured opening remarks from Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO, Joel Haggard, USMEF senior vice president, Asia Pacific, and Oscar Ferrara, USMEF regional director, Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic. In the conference, the speakers discussed their support … Read More
Dairy Welcomes NAFTA Action by USTR
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) commended Robert Lighthizer, the newly confirmed U.S. Trade Representative, for taking swift action under the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act (TPA) to begin the process for modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). In a notification letter sent … Read More
North American Cattle Groups Say Don’t Jeopardize NAFTA
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) joined its cattle-industry partners in Canada and Mexico in sending a joint letter to President Trump, President Justin Trudeau of Canada, and President Enrique Pena Nieto of Mexico, urging the three leaders to not “jeopardize the success we have all enjoyed as partners of the North American Free Trade Agreement.” The letter was signed … Read More
NPPC Says New NAFTA Must Not Disrupt Pork Exports
Following the notification by the Trump administration to Congress that it intends to modernize the trade agreement among the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) urged the president to make sure that tariffs remain at zero for pork traded in North America. The White House notified the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees that … Read More
NCBA Hosts Media Call on Regained Access to China
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) held a media conference call and Q&A session to discuss the historic reopening of the Chinese market to American-produced beef this morning. Speaking on the call were Craig Uden, NCBA President, and Kent Bacus, NCBA Director of International Trade and Market Access. “We’re very excited about this development, it’s another step closer to restoring … Read More
Animal Ag Responds to Creation of Undersecretary for Trade
The importance of international trade to American agriculture has been recognized by our new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue with the the creation of an undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs in the USDA. “Food is a noble thing to trade. This nation has a great story to tell and we’ve got producers here that produce more than … Read More