After the recent announcement related to tariff-free beef imports, several American agriculture organizations have voiced concern. One group is the American Farm Bureau.
AFB President Zippy Duvall released a statement saying, “One of the few bright spots for U.S. agriculture right now, the cattle sector just became dimmer because of today’s presidential proclamation.”
“The timing of this proclamation is a gut punch to ranchers’ bottom line. The claim of ensuring these added imports do not, quote, disrupt the orderly marketing of commodities in the U.S. falls flat when ranchers are now selling their cattle into a market in sharp decline. It’s not too late to reverse this decision, and we urge the president to consider the economic harm this causes American ranchers,” added Duvall.
Duvall also said, “A strong domestic food supply is easy to take for granted until it’s gone. We also urge the administration not to make any changes to the renewable fuel standard that would further destabilize farmers who raise corn, soybeans, and other crops. Farmers and ranchers are proud to raise the food, fiber, and fuel America’s families rely on, but pride doesn’t pay the bills in an upside-down farm economy.”
Audio Reporting by Elizabeth Sanders for Southeast AgNet.