By Oregon Cattlemen’s Association
On Monday, October 5, it was announced that the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) ministers have concluded negotiations. What does this mean? It means the United States is one step closer to having TPP go into effect. TPP is a multilateral trade agreement being negotiated by the United States and 11 other nations. Industry leaders around Oregon and across the nation agree that TPP will enhance Oregon’s number one agricultural commodity, cattle and calves.
Ray Sessler, president of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, is supportive of TPP and sees that the agreement will help Oregon producers expand their operations. “We believe TPP will provide one more tool in our saddlebags to compete on the world stage,” Sessler said. “In the long run, we expect the agreement to add some stability to the (cattle) market.”<!–more–>
Beef Northwest’s Director of Customer Development and Grain Procurement Ron Rowan, says he is supportive of the agreement moving forward. “TPP will help increase our exports and this is a good opportunity for the cattle industry in Oregon because we are in a good location to access that market,” Rowan said. He notes that the agreement will decrease barriers and open new markets for Oregon Feedyards.
Some consumers have expressed concern that Oregon beef may not be as readily available when TPP goes into effect. Will Wise, Chief Executive Officer for the Oregon Beef Council, said that is a worry consumers can put to rest. “Local beef supplies that Oregonians enjoy will not change much due to TPP,” Wise said. “Cuts exported to Japan and other Asian markets are not typically high demand items in the U.S., so the impact on U.S. availability would not be that great.”
Wise also expressed that Oregon’s beef market is a high priority. “The market closer to home is very important and Oregon will continue to see quality product supplied through local producers.”
The National Cattlemen’s Association noted that the United States participating in TPP is a unique opportunity that we need to take part in. “Through the partnership process with these 11 other nations, beef producers were able to secure the best deal possible to address tariff and non-tariff trade barriers to beef exports, surpassing individual country arrangements,” NCBA said in a formal press release.
When it’s all said and done, Oregon beef is a highly sought after commodity due to ranchers that take the time necessary to raise healthy, hearty animals. Sessler hopes that through TPP, we will be able to share our high quality beef with many different people. “I believe we need to reach every corner of the world with U.S. Beef,” he said. “After all, we produce the best beef in the world.”
The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association was founded in 1913 and works to promote environmentally and socially sound industry practices, improve and strengthen the economics of the industry, and protect its industry communities and private property rights.
By Kayli Hanley
Disclaimer: Articles featured on Oregon Report are the creation, responsibility and opinion of the authoring individual or organization which is featured at the top of every article.