Five Nations Meeting Calls for Lower Tariffs

Missouri cattleman and NCBA President Mike John, NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud and Chief Executive Officer Terry Stokes traveled to Australia for the Five Nations Beef Conference, Oct. 12-20.

The Five Nations Beef Conference is a meeting of the national producer associations of Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and the United States, which is represented by NCBA. The conference was established in 1983 and meets every 18 months on a rotating host-country basis. The next conference will be held in the United States in mid-May 2008.

The cattle industry leaders from the five nations held extensive talks regarding their participation in the World Trade Organization, priorities for trade reform, how to garner meaningful market access, and work toward expanding quotas, reducing tariffs and eliminating trade barriers worldwide. They left the meeting with a consensus on principles and action items for this year and next including:

Overriding Principle:  To exceed global consumers’ expectation in respect of beef, while eliminating non-scientific and political trade restrictions.

Trade Reform:  The Five Nations Beef Alliance (FNBA) will continue to push for further liberalization as a key priority in the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization negotiations. The FNBA unequivocally supports expanded market access via the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers, eliminating export subsidies and substantial reductions in domestic support.  The FNBA urges all beef importing countries to ensure that sound science remains the only basis for resolving sanitary and phytosanitary issues.

The FNBA agreed that when countries conduct their own science-based risk assessments, their respective governments should implement international (OIE) science-based guidelines related to BSE so that trade in cattle, genetic material, beef and beef products can be conducted without interruptions on non-scientifically based criteria.

Animal Identification:  The FNBA supports the ongoing development of animal ID systems that allow for the eradication of animal disease and management of animal health concerns in the beef industry.  Each member of the FNBA, along with each of the beef producing nations around the world, is urged to move forward with systems that deliver pragmatic and effective tracking and tracing capabilities which provide confidence to beef consumers.

Animal Health:  Recognizing the dangers of the spread of livestock disease for the beef industry, the FNBA urges all governments and quarantine authorities to remain vigilant in preventing the introduction of exotic diseases.

Animal Welfare:  The FNBA endorses the ongoing need to maintain animal welfare codes and/or legislation that are science based, outcome focused and that do not impede trade.