The American Sheep Industry Association is asking federal trade officials for relief from rising lamb imports, arguing foreign competition has caused significant financial harm to U.S. sheep producers and processors.
ASI is presenting testimony before the U.S. International Trade Commission as part of a Section 201 safeguard investigation. The investigation was launched in July at the request of U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Greer and is examining the impact of lamb imports on the domestic industry.
According to ASI, imported lamb accounted for just over 30% of the U.S. market when the ITC last conducted a lamb investigation in 1999. The association says imports now represent more than 70% of the market.
Australia and New Zealand are among the leading suppliers of imported lamb to the United States.
ASI contends the growth in imports has resulted in lost sales, lower revenues and declining market share for American producers and processors. The group is seeking safeguard measures designed to give the domestic industry relief from import competition.
The industry's effort has also drawn support on Capitol Hill. Sixty-eight members of Congress recently urged the International Trade Commission to consider relief measures for U.S. sheep producers.
ASI Executive Director Mike Michener said American lamb producers and processors have endured years of surging imports that have taken what he described as a devastating toll on their livelihoods.
A Section 201 investigation allows the ITC to determine whether increased imports are a substantial cause of serious injury, or threat of serious injury, to a U.S. industry. If the commission makes such a finding, it can recommend safeguard measures to the president.
The sheep industry says the investigation could be an important step toward restoring a more competitive market for domestically produced lamb.