USMEF Submits Comments on U.S.-Kenya Trade Initiative

USMEF recently submitted comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on the U.S.-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership.

Cheyenne McEndaffer, USMEF senior director of export services, explains that USMEF highlighted several non-tariff barriers and potential trade obstacles, including concerns about Kenya’s burdensome import license system, restrictions on transshipment of products and a lack of clarity on import veterinary drug residue and microbiological standards.

While the Biden administration is not currently seeking to address tariffs under this initiative, McEndaffer notes that Kenya’s 35% duty rate on imported beef and pork is trade-prohibitive. Even if other barriers are eliminated, a partnership agreement that does not address high tariff rates is not likely to increase opportunities for U.S. red meat in a meaningful way.

The comments USMEF submitted in this proceeding are available online.

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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.