House Approval of Ocean Shipping Reform Act a Key Step for U.S. Ag Exports

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 (H.R.4996). The legislation received strong bipartisan support, clearing the House on a vote of 364-60. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom explains that while global demand for U.S. red meat is at an all-time high and exports are on a record pace in 2021, shipping delays and other transportation obstacles remain a major concern for U.S. exporters and their international customers.

Halstrom thanked House members for their support of H.R. 4996 and agricultural trade associations such as the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC), National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and North American Meat Institute (NAMI) for rallying support for the bill. He added that expanded hours of service at several ports and heightened efforts to clear incoming cargo in a more timely manner are also important steps needed to ensure prompt and reliable delivery of U.S. agricultural products destined for overseas markets.

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The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry. It is funded by USDA; the beef, pork, lamb, corn and soybean checkoff programs, as well as its members representing nine industry sectors: beef/veal producing & feeding, pork producing & feeding, lamb producing & feeding, packing & processing, purveying & trading, oilseeds producing, feedgrains producing, farm organizations and supply & service organizations. USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law. USMEF is an equal opportunity employer and provider.