U.S. beef high priority on trade policy agenda

Congressional hearings emphasize strong support for cattlemen

Two committees with jurisdiction over trade policy in the U.S. Congress, the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways & Means Committee, held hearings recently to publicly discuss U.S. trade policies and strategies for 2006. The hearings are an annual opportunity for the Bush Administration to outline its trade strategy, and for Congress to highlight trade priorities for the coming year.

"It's clear from comments made in hearings this week that increased export opportunities for U.S. beef is a high priority right now for Congress and the Bush Administration," says Mike John, Missouri cattle producer and National Cattlemen's Beef Association president. "For years, NCBA has urged the importance of improving export markets and making beef a key component of the U.S. trade agenda. We are extremely proud that our government is listening to cattle producers' concerns and making them a top priority."

In his testimony outlining the 2006 Trade Agenda, United States Trade Representative Rob Portman affirmed that expanding market access for agriculture through tariff reductions is a top priority, specifically referring to U.S. beef.

Date: 2/20/06