NCBA: Trade Deal With UK Great For American Ranchers

On Thursday, The Trump Administration announced a trade agreement-in-principle with the United Kingdom.  Kent Bacus, Executive Director of Government Affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said this announcement is welcomed news for the American rancher.

“This is something that NCBA has been working on for many years, really trying to work with the British Government and with British stakeholders to help them understand how we raise cattle and the high-quality standards that we use here," Bacus said.  "I think that the fact that beef has been included in this overall agreement in principle, I think that just speaks to the importance that agriculture plays in trade, and specifically to beef.”

Bacus added the cattle industry has a good opportunity before them in the United Kingdom.

“This is a market that has come out of the European Union, but they've been fed a lot of that misinformation about U.S. production practices over the years," he said.  "So, it's been important for us to have those that direct engagement into to really work with them, to dispel some of that misinformation.”

Bacus added he believes as more and more British customers get familiar with the quality of product, and the standards established through the Beef Quality Assurance Program, they will appreciate the product American producers provide.

President Trump said of Thursday’s agreement-in-principle, “The deal includes billions of dollars of increased market access for American exports, especially in agriculture.”

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com