Mexican Market Re-Opened for U.S. Beef Products

Washington, D.C. (March 4, 2004) –  Producer-members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) are pleased to learn that U.S. and Mexican officials have come to agreement upon the re-opening of the Mexican market for U.S. beef exports.  The USDA announced late yesterday afternoon that Secretary Javier Usabiaga of Mexico reopened the border.
 
“This is great news for U.S. cattle producers like myself,” says Jan Lyons, NCBA president and Kansas cattle producer. “With the market closed since the December 23 discovery of one isolated case of BSE, we have been working together to re-open valuable markets like Mexico. It is clear that Mexico is now making a science-based decision about our products. We would like to applaud the USDA for this accomplishment, and appreciate all the work that has been done by U.S. and Mexican officials.”
 
Over the past few months, the USDA and industry groups have been working closely with Mexican officials to inform them of U.S. actions and policy in regards to beef safety. The USDA has provided Mexican officials with extensive information, and hosted technical teams to illustrate the safety of U.S. products. This “Phase I” agreement will allow exports to Mexico of boneless beef products from animals of less than 30 months of age.   NCBA continues to work with the Mexican government and industry to open their market to other U.S. products.
 
“For decades now, the U.S. government and ranchers have enacted preventative measures that protect our cattle from BSE, including an import ban to keep infected products out of our food and feed supply, a feed ban and a surveillance program that exceeds international standards by 47 times,” says Lyons.  “USDA has taken even further measures to strengthen our food safety and animal health systems since the discovery in December.” 
 
Mexico is the second largest export market for beef and beef products. Boneless beef covered in the agreement makes up a majority of all exports to Mexico.
 
“U.S. producers have increasingly benefited from trade with Mexico, thanks to trade agreements,” explains NCBA Associate Director of Trade Policy Michelle Reinke. “Mexico’s 103 million citizens have experienced a 33 percent increase in per capita income over the last five years.  This increase in disposable income has led directly to increased Mexican beef consumption.”
 
With an inconsistent market of about 100,000 metric tons and $200 million before trade agreements were made, Mexico is now one of our most significant markets.  In 2003, the U.S. exported 335,847 metric tons of beef and beef variety meat products to Mexico, valued at $877.4 million. NCBA will continue to work with industry and government officials to assure that the full spectrum of this valuable export market is reopened as soon as possible.