Forum in Argentina and US supports market access

Forum attendance in Argentina and United States supports market access

Beef + Lamb New Zealand will represent sheep and beef farmers at a number of key international forums in North and South America this week.

In Argentina, Chief Executive Dr Scott Champion will participate in the International Meat Secretariat (IMS) World Meat Congress and Five Nations Beef Alliance meetings. He will then travel to the United States, where he will attend the Meat Importers Council of America annual meeting and meet with key producer organisations, food processors, and trade organisations.

“Maintaining and enhancing Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s relationship with major farmer and meat trade organisations helps us support continuous improvements in market access and product positioning for our sheep and beef farmers,” says Dr Champion. “This is a key part of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s activity.”

Dr Champion says these international forums provide an excellent opportunity to discuss the global issues facing producers.

“Through the IMS, Beef + Lamb New Zealand is working with other producer organisations to seek mutual understanding on the important technical field of sustainability – as well as issues like animal welfare, animal identification and traceability, and food safety risks.

“As 92% of New Zealand lamb and 82% of New Zealand beef is exported it is important that these issues do not become barriers to international markets.”

Dr Champion says the visit to the United States also allows Beef + Lamb New Zealand to talk to counterpart organisations about the value of a high quality, comprehensive Trans-Pacific Partnership Strategic Economic Agreement (TPP), and highlight the potential benefits to meat trade interests in the Asia/Pacific region.

“The United States is New Zealand’s largest and most important market for beef and is also an important market for sheepmeat. However, New Zealand’s beef exports to the United States complement their domestic production, which benefits both New Zealand and United States beef producers. Lean New Zealand beef is mixed with United States domestic beef to produced ground beef products used predominantly in the food service industry. This increases demand for United States beef trimmings which would otherwise be in less demand by their beef processors.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media