AFBF, LMA, NCBA and USCA Urge President to Reverse Proposed Beef Import Plan

PRESS RELEASE

AFBF, LMA, NCBA and USCA Urge President to Reverse Proposed Beef Import Plan

Four of the nation's leading livestock and agricultural organizations have joined together to urge President Trump to reverse a proposed 90-day import plan they believe would weaken the long-term stability of the U.S. cattle industry.

In a letter sent today, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), and United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA) called on the Administration to work with industry stakeholders on solutions that keep food affordable while protecting producers, consumers, and strengthening the nation's ability to produce its own food.

The full text of the letter is below:

The Honorable Donald J. Trump

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of America's cattle producers and the broader livestock industry, we write to express our deep concern with your announced plan to import up to 300,000 metric tons of beef over the next 90-days. The stated purpose of driving down beef prices and the commitment to sell it at a price that undercuts domestic supply send a disheartening message to farmers and ranchers across the country.

We share your goal of keeping groceries affordable for American families. However, flooding the market with discounted foreign beef is not the way to rebuild the American cattle herd, strengthen food security, or lower grocery bills in a lasting way. This announcement has already driven cattle markets sharply lower and undermines producers at a critical time of year when they are marketing cattle and making herd-building decisions.

Beef prices are in line with other consumer prices and reflect the inflated cost of raising cattle, grain, and forage. Ranchers and farmers are finally experiencing the strong beef demand needed to invest in their operations after years of drought, high input costs, processing plant disruptions, and other challenges that have reduced cattle numbers. This announcement will discourage investment in the U.S. cow herd and undo the progress producers have made.

We are deeply concerned that this import strategy sacrifices long-term food security for a short-term solution. Americans deserve safe and wholesome beef free from any market distorting actions. There is nothing more American than beef, and we look to your leadership to ensure resilience for our farmers and ranchers, which is the only long-term way to prevent higher grocery costs and maintain control over our food supply.

American cattle producers are asking you for a fair and competitive market, honest price signals, and policies that put U.S. farmers, ranchers, and consumers first. We urge you to reverse course on this 90-day import plan and work with us instead on solutions that strengthen, rather than weaken, America's capacity to feed itself. We stand ready to work with you on policies that keep food affordable, protect producers and consumers, and preserve a viable future for the U.S. cattle industry.

Respectfully,

Zippy Duvall, President

American Farm Bureau Federation

Joe Goggins, President

Livestock Marketing Association

Gene Copenhaver, President

National Cattlemen's Beef Association

Justin Tupper, President

United States Cattlemen's Association