Beef Import Plan Could Have Long-Term Consequences

Decisions made today can shape America’s beef supply for years to come. For ranchers, few decisions carry more weight than whether to rebuild a herd—a process that takes years of careful planning, significant investment and confidence that the market will be there when your animals are ready.

That is why America’s farmers and ranchers were so disappointed to learn of President Trump’s plan to import 660 million pounds of beef over the next 90 days. We appreciate the President’s desire to lower grocery costs for American families. Farmers and ranchers share that goal, but flooding the market with imported beef risks doing lasting damage to the American-grown beef market without providing meaningful relief at the grocery store.

This week, Farm Bureau sent a letter urging the administration to reconsider this plan. I also met with White House leaders to raise our concerns directly and share what is at stake for America’s ranchers and for consumers. Attempts to lower grocery costs should not come at the expense of the ranchers working to strengthen America’s food supply.

Beef Imports Could Slow Efforts to Rebuild U.S. Cattle Herd

For almost a year, Farm Bureau has advised the administration that American ranchers need stability as they work to rebuild herds that were sold off due to years of drought. A heifer kept for breeding today will not produce a calf ready for market tomorrow, and ranchers need confidence that the market will remain strong enough to justify their investments. A sudden surge in imports could weaken that confidence at exactly the wrong time.

The United States is already importing beef at record levels. During the first quarter of this year, imports were up 18% from the same period last year and up 122% from five years ago. The administration’s latest proposal would increase imports by nearly 60% over the next 90 days. Meanwhile, prices paid to ranchers have fallen sharply over the past two months, and beef packing plants are shutting down across the country. Flooding the market with foreign beef now would undermine the progress ranchers are working hard to make and prolong the market conditions that contribute to higher beef prices for families.

A Strong U.S. Beef Supply Benefits Consumers

I understand why families are concerned about the cost of beef. But short-term attempts to lower prices could have long-term consequences for the ranchers who raise our food and the families who depend on a strong domestic food supply.

If ranchers lose confidence in the market and pull back on rebuilding, our nation could become more dependent on imported beef. That could ultimately leave families facing even higher grocery costs and leave our country relying on other nations for more of our food. We should be strengthening our ability to raise food here at home, not pursuing short-term actions that further outsource our food supply, costing American farms, ranches and jobs along the way.

America’s ranchers stand ready to rebuild their herds and continue providing families with high-quality beef. They need time and certainty to keep on. That is the message I took to the White House this week, and Farm Bureau will continue working with policymakers on solutions that strengthen our domestic beef supply for generations to come.