Final Traceability Rule Could Hinder Beef Market Access Talks With China

摘要

A change made in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) final rule on animal disease traceability that exempts so-called "feeder cattle" under the age of 18 months from new requirements could create another hurdle in the Obama administration's ongoing effort to reopen the Chinese market, according to two industry sources. China has long demanded that the U.S. maintain a national system that would enable cattle to be traced back to their farm of origin. The final rule would require state-level identification on the movement of animals, but it is unclear whether that will be comprehensive enough to meet Chinese officials' demands.