USMEF Board Meeting Concludes with Address from Trade Ambassador
Published: May 31, 2011
At Friday’s closing general session of the USMEF Board of Directors meeting, the keynote speaker was Ambassador Isi Siddiqui, chief agricultural negotiator for the Office of U.S. Trade Representative. Siddiqui addressed the issue of market access in mainland China, noting his disappointment that this potentially lucrative market remains closed to U.S. beef.
“We will continue to engage China – we made some progress,” he said, referring to trade negotiations held in early January. “I was disappointed we were not able to open that market, which has tremendous potential in terms of export opportunities.”
“We will continue to engage China – we made some progress,” he said, referring to trade negotiations held in early January. “I was disappointed we were not able to open that market, which has tremendous potential in terms of export opportunities.”
He said China’s desire to exclude certain offal products was one stumbling block preventing a trade protocol from being reached, but also cited issues concerning border protection, traceability and China’s insistence that beef from fed cattle of Mexican origin be excluded.
Siddiqui noted, however, that USMEF senior staff members were extremely helpful in the negotiations with China, and that he will continue to value USMEF’s input as future negotiations move forward.
“Your USMEF representatives were there on the ground, and by the way I really appreciate their presence,” he said. “They were tremendously helpful. At the end of the day, we were able to get feedback from your experts on each of these key issues.”
Another issue addressed by Siddiqui was Russia’s desire to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). He noted that while the Obama Administration is generally supportive of Russia’s efforts to be part of the WTO, that support hinges on Russia’s adoption of science-based regulations for import of many products, including U.S. pork and beef. For Russia to enjoy the benefits of WTO membership, he said, it is critical that it provides transparency and predictability to its trading partners.
“The burden is on the country that is seeking to become a member of the WTO,” Siddiqui explained. “Russia has to do certain things to make sure they are in compliance before they become a member of this rules-based system. There’s more work to be done. They have to show that they are definitely committed to complying with the WTO SPS agreement, and that their decisions are based on sound science.”
Jay Howell of Jay Howell and Associates also addressed USMEF members, discussing the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports. This coalition is charged with educating key decision makers about the important role USDA Market Access Program (MAP) funding and Foreign Market Development (FMD) funding play in promoting U.S. products in key foreign markets. Howell provided an overview of the difficult budget situation Congress faces and stressed how important it is for agricultural interests to continue their efforts to advocate for these market development programs.
Siddiqui noted, however, that USMEF senior staff members were extremely helpful in the negotiations with China, and that he will continue to value USMEF’s input as future negotiations move forward.
“Your USMEF representatives were there on the ground, and by the way I really appreciate their presence,” he said. “They were tremendously helpful. At the end of the day, we were able to get feedback from your experts on each of these key issues.”
Another issue addressed by Siddiqui was Russia’s desire to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). He noted that while the Obama Administration is generally supportive of Russia’s efforts to be part of the WTO, that support hinges on Russia’s adoption of science-based regulations for import of many products, including U.S. pork and beef. For Russia to enjoy the benefits of WTO membership, he said, it is critical that it provides transparency and predictability to its trading partners.
“The burden is on the country that is seeking to become a member of the WTO,” Siddiqui explained. “Russia has to do certain things to make sure they are in compliance before they become a member of this rules-based system. There’s more work to be done. They have to show that they are definitely committed to complying with the WTO SPS agreement, and that their decisions are based on sound science.”
Jay Howell of Jay Howell and Associates also addressed USMEF members, discussing the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports. This coalition is charged with educating key decision makers about the important role USDA Market Access Program (MAP) funding and Foreign Market Development (FMD) funding play in promoting U.S. products in key foreign markets. Howell provided an overview of the difficult budget situation Congress faces and stressed how important it is for agricultural interests to continue their efforts to advocate for these market development programs.
After standing committee reports were delivered, the USMEF Board of Directors approved a staff directive to collect and disseminate information on the importance of MAP and FMD funding to the success of USMEF. Resolutions were also approved on working with the U.S. government to promote science-based trade and requesting that USDA-FSIS complete the export module of the new Public Health Information System (PHIS) by the end of this calendar year.
“We’ve had a really good week here in D.C.,” said USMEF Chairman Keith Miller in his closing remarks. “We had some excellent, excellent speakers. The updates on the free trade agreements and other market access issues that need to be addressed have been very informative and encouraging.”
“We’ve had a really good week here in D.C.,” said USMEF Chairman Keith Miller in his closing remarks. “We had some excellent, excellent speakers. The updates on the free trade agreements and other market access issues that need to be addressed have been very informative and encouraging.”