China and US beef

Big news and huge opportunities for U.S .beef producers in general and certainly cattlemen here in Idaho as China has recently announced that the restrictions that have kept U.S. beef out of its market for 13 years have been lifted. The ban on imports of U.S. bone-in beef and boneless beef for livestock under 30 months has been removed, with conditions, effective immediately, according to a statement on Thursday from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. Imports must follow requirements under China’s traceability, inspection and quarantine systems. As for the position that beef must come from livestock that are under 30 months, here is Idaho cattle associations Britney Hearst. "It lowers the risk of BSE.”

The move opens a market of 1.4 billion people to the U.S. livestock industry. The beef import market is now reported to be worth as much as $150 million a month.  That’s right, per month. The United States isn't the only country seeing changes to Chinese beef trade.The country also announced a new agreement with Canada to import beef into the massive market.