By Julie Tomascik
Editor

American beef could soon be at the center of Chinese plates.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the agency has finalized protocols for U.S. beef to once again have access to China’s growing middle class.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said the announcement was “a great day for the United States and, in particular, for our cattle producers, who will be regaining access to an enormous market with an ever-exploding middle class.”

The specified requirements for exports to China include:

  • Beef and beef products must be derived from cattle that were born, raised and slaughtered in the U.S., cattle that were imported from Canada or Mexico and subsequently raised and slaughtered in the U.S., or cattle that were imported from Canada or Mexico for direct slaughter;
  • Cattle must be traceable to the U.S. birth farm using a unique identifier, or if imported to the first place of residence or port of entry;
  • Beef and beef products must be derived from cattle less than 30 months of age;
  • Chilled or frozen bone-in and deboned beef products are eligible for shipment. For a complete listing, refer to the FSIS Export Library; and
  • Carcasses, beef and beef products must be uniquely identified and controlled up until the time of shipment.

“I commend the hard work of Secretary Ross, Secretary Mnuchin, Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and our USDA representatives,” Perdue said. “Without their dedication and persistence, this would not have been possible. I have no doubt that as soon as the Chinese people get a taste of American beef, they’ll want more of it.”

Click here to view the final details from USDA.

Beef trade with China halted in 2003 following the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, in the U.S.

The plan calls for easing restrictions that have been in place for more than 13 years.

“As the number one cattle-producing state in the nation, Texas stands to benefit from this trade agreement,” Tracy Tomascik, associate director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities for Texas Farm Bureau, said. “The high quality, flavorful beef that Texas and American ranchers produce can quickly become a staple with the growing Chinese middle class.”

The initial announcement came May 11 as part of the U.S.-China 100-Day Action Plan.

Exports to China alone could be worth more than $2 billion to U.S. agriculture, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).

“As China improves economically, more people moving into the middle class, they’re looking to improve their diets and then they’re looking to purchase more beef,” Dave Salmonsen, AFBF senior director of Congressional Relations, said. “Currently, most of their beef is coming in from Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Australia, but there certainly is an opportunity for our grain-fed U.S. beef.”

Shipments of U.S. beef should set sail to China by July 16.