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USMCA top priority for beef producers

National Cattleman’s Beef Association President Jennifer Houston tells Brownfield, in a political climate daunting to cattle producers, getting the US Mexico Canada Agreement across the finish line is at the top of the list.

“With all the new congress, what I think is about 30% new members in the House of Representatives, we have to really educate them about the beef industry before we can really advocate and explain to them why the USMCA is so important.”

Houston says USMCA would allow beef producers to enjoy the same free access to the Mexican and Canadian markets that NAFTA provided the last 25 years.

“We have increased our beef exports to Mexico in that time about 800%. There are cuts that are valuable to the Mexican population especially that don’t have as much value in the US.”

She says ratifying the USMCA is an important first step to show US commitment to trade agreements as we also work on trade with China, Japan and the EU.

Brownfield interviewed Houston at the Illinois Beef Association Summer Conference in Effingham, Illinois.