Weekly USMEF Audio Report: European Parliament Approves Agreement Improving Access for U.S. Beef
DENVER, CO -December 2, 2019 – On Nov. 28, the European Parliament voted to approve a plan granting the United States a country-specific share of the European Union’s duty-free high-quality beef quota. The agreement, which was signed and announced in August. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom explains that lack of capacity in the duty-free quota has hampered the ability of European importers to consistently secure U.S. beef for their customers. Because the quota is administered on a quarterly basis, importers must often wait several weeks for a new quarterly allocation to open before more U.S. beef can enter the EU at zero duty. This has also been a source of frustration for U.S. producers and exporters who have invested in the production and processing of non-hormone treated cattle – which is required for beef exported to the EU. Approval by the European Parliament keeps the agreement on track for implementation in early 2020, clearing the way for consistent, year-round access for U.S. beef.
Halstrom on EU Parliament action 12-1-19
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry. It is funded by USDA; the beef, pork, lamb, corn and soybean checkoff programs, as well as its members representing nine industry sectors: beef/veal producing & feeding, pork producing & feeding, lamb producing & feeding, packing & processing, purveying & trading, oilseeds producing, feedgrains producing, farm organizations and supply & service organizations.
Submitted to the BARN by:
Joe Schuele
Vice President, Communications
U.S. Meat Export Federation
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