Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) and the Meat Industry Association (MIA) are aware of a petition by the Ranchers Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA), requesting that the United States Government restricts sheepmeat imports. US sheepmeat imports are predominantly from Australia and New Zealand.
R-CALF USA is a national non-profit organisation that aims to ensure the continued profitability and viability of the US cattle industry and claims to represent “the collective voice of US cattle and sheep producers in domestic and international trade and marketing issues”.
It is separate from the main cattle industry organisation, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. R-CALF has traditionally been sensitive about imports.
We will continue to closely monitor developments in the US and liaise with the New Zealand Government.