Imports Threaten US Red Meat Markets

R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America has sent a petition to the U.S. International Trade Commission requesting a global safeguard investigation for the sheep industry. R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard says over 70 percent of lamb and mutton consumed in the United States is imported from countries like Australia and New Zealand. The organization hopes to set a precedent on red meat imports. “We see the sheep industry as the canary in the coal mine for the cattle industry,” said Bullard. “As we see the sheep industry being decimated by imports, we know for a fact, imports can destroy a domestic supply chain.” In addition to the strength of the U.S. dollar, there are other factors that make sheep production cheaper in other countries including restrictions on predator control. Bullard hopes an investigation would prove imports have caused a substantial injury to the U.S. sheep industry that would allow for quantity and volume restrictions to be placed on imports. Hear the full conversation with Bill Bullard here.