Nearly 13 years ago, China shut its borders to U.S. beef in reaction to the first U.S. case of mad cow disease. Now, the government says it will end the ban, leaving U.S. officials and cattle producers asking for a timeline, says the Wall Street Journal.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the Chinese decision is “a critical first step. … We look forward to prompt engagement by the relevant authorities for further technical discussions on the specific conditions that will allow trade to resume. True access to China’s beef market — consistent with science-based, international standards for trade — remains a top priority for the United States.”
The Journal quoted meatpackers and analysts as expressing caution. “The question I’m left with is, ‘What is the meaning of ‘soon’ here?'” Brett Stuart of Global AgriTrends told the newspaper. Australia and Brazil are the leading beef suppliers to China at present. Australia has a drought-reduced supply of slaughter cattle, creating an opening for U.S. beef once the details are worked out, said the Journal.
As the world’s most populous nation, China’s beef imports have zoomed in recent years. USDA forecasts China will become the No. 2 beef importer in the world this year with imports of 825,000 tonnes, compared to 12,000 tons of beef imports in 2003. “Rapidly rising demand for beef has been fueled by middle-class growth and has made China the fastest-growing beef market in the world,” said USDA. At present, the United States is the world’s top beef importer and Japan is second.