The USDA has reached agreement with Chinese officials on final details of a protocol to allow the US to begin shipping beef to China.
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has posted the requirements for its export verification program for US establishments shipping to China, which will enable packers to apply for approval to export to China – the same way as Irish plants did in 2015.
It is one aspect of a 100-day plan to improve co-operation between the two countries. A joint statement earlier this year from the US and China said that the US would begin shipping beef to the market no later than July 16, 2017.
Optimism for American agriculture families
Secretary Perdue said that US cattle producers “will be regaining access to an enormous market with an ever-expanding middle class”.
“Since he was elected, President Trump has brought momentum, optimism, and results to American agriculture families that we haven’t seen in years and this agreement is a great example.
“I have no doubt that as soon as the Chinese people get a taste of American beef they’ll want more of it.”
Meanwhile, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross commented that this final beef protocol agreement represents even more concrete progress.
The Chinese market
The US has been banned from China's market since 2003 due to BSE concerns. That ban was lifted last year.
Until the ban took effect, the US was China’s largest supplier of imported beef, providing 70% of their total intake. China was the second-largest importer of beef in the world last year, taking in 825,000t.
The US is in the same position as Ireland is for exporting beef to China. Ireland is awaiting final clearance to begin exporting, with Chinese vets expected to visit Ireland to inspect plants next month.
China to import US beef within two months
Listen: protocol signed for market access to China for Irish beef
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