06.12.17

Hoeven: Administration Announces Final Details on Export of US Beef to China

Senator Worked to Open Chinese Markets to U.S. Beef

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Committee and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released the following statement today after the Administration announced that it has finalized details allowing the export of U.S. beef to China. USDA posted the requirements for U.S. establishments shipping to China here and the requirements for certifying U.S. beef being shipped to China are available here.

Hoeven has been working to expand access to China for U.S. beef producers. Last month, the Administration announced that it had reached agreement with China to import U.S. beef. Prior to the April meeting of President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Hoeven pressed the Administration to reach an agreement to allow U.S. beef into China.

“China is the second largest importer of beef in the world, which is why we’ve been working to open this market up to U.S. cattle producers,” said Hoeven. “Trade is vital to the success of our farmers and ranchers, and finalizing the beef agreement will benefit producers in North Dakota and across the nation, as well as Chinese consumers who will now have access to high-quality, U.S. beef.”   

In addition to his efforts on U.S. beef, Hoeven has worked to expand access to foreign markets and ensure fair treatment for North Dakota’s agriculture industry, including:

·        Serving as a member of the Senate-House Conference Committee that crafted the final farm bill of 2014, which directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create an undersecretary of trade and foreign agricultural affairs. In May, USDA announced plans to create the position to help grow foreign markets for U.S. agriculture.

·        Backing the U.S. Trade Representative in bringing a compliance case against China in the World Trade Organization (WTO). Under its WTO obligations, China would have imported as much as $3.5 billion worth of additional U.S. wheat, corn and rice in 2015 alone.

·        Ensuring domestic honey producers receive all of the proceeds collected from settlements for unfair trade practices.

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