Tariff Relief for Farmers and China Suspends Brazilian Beef
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**The USDA is continuing to evaluate possible tariff relief options for farmers impacted by trade disputes and rising production costs.
Reports say the department has been analyzing potential assistance measures as farmers face weaker export demand and higher costs for machinery, fertilizer and fuel.
USDA officials said recent trade agreements could help reduce the agricultural trade deficit and open additional overseas markets for U.S. products.
Economists say many farmers remain cautious.
**The USDA says new international trade agreements are designed to create additional export opportunities for American agriculture as officials work to reduce the nation’s agricultural trade deficit.
According to USDA information released this month, agreements with countries including Taiwan, Bangladesh, Ecuador and Guatemala are expected to improve market access for U.S. grains, meat, dairy and specialty crops.
The department also highlighted progress in negotiations involving China, Japan and the United Kingdom.
**China has suspended beef imports from three Brazilian meatpacking plants after detecting synthetic veterinary hormones in cattle, according to a report by Globo Rural and confirmed by Reuters.
The affected plants are operated by JBS, Prima Foods and Frialto.
China prohibits the use of certain synthetic hormones in beef production, and the suspensions come as Brazil seeks expanded access to the Chinese market, its largest foreign customer for beef exports.
