STATEMENT Regarding Allegations of Canadian and Mexican Cattle Dumping

"NCBA supports the decision by the U.S. government to investigate the potential for unfair subsidies to Canadian cattle producers that may be contributing to an imbalance in cattle trade with Canada.

"We have long had concerns about government intervention in Canadian agriculture, particularly from their Wheat Board. There are potential subsidies that can make grain cheaper for cattle producers in Canada. An NCBA subcommittee, formed as a result of the U.S./Canadian cattle trade summit held in October, will continue to monitor this and other Canadian trade issues, identify potential impediments to trade and work to resolve them.

"The expansion of the Northwest Project to 26 states, announced after recent negotiations on cattle trade by U.S. and Canadian government officials, was a long-overdue step towards improving the transparency of trade with Canada. It improves the system for shipment of U.S. feeder cattle to Canada. NCBA also has been working closely with Canadian and U.S. government officials to make data on Canadian cattle more accessible to U.S. cattle producers.  However, our position on allegations of dumping of Canadian live cattle onto the U.S. market has been neutral, and it remains so.

"We are disappointed that the United States is moving ahead with an investigation into dumping of Mexican live cattle on the U.S. market. We have found no evidence that Mexico is selling cattle below the cost of production and therefore see no need for this. U.S. cattlemen have developed a strong and vital two-way trading relationship with Mexican cattlemen; a relationship which we must continue to foster in order to ensure the economic well-being of cattlemen on both sides of the border. Mexico is the second largest and fastest growing market for U.S. beef. It is especially critical that this trade be continued while U.S. cattlemen face poor market conditions."

-- NCBA --

Initiated in 1898, NCBA is the marketing organization and trade association for America’s one million cattle farmers and ranchers. With offices in Denver, Chicago and Washington D.C., NCBA is a consumer-focused, producer-directed organization representing the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.