FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles hailed the announcement that Japan will remove remaining restrictions to U.S. beef exports, saying the action is a significant development for Kentucky farmers.
“Kentucky is the leading beef state east of the Mississippi River, so Japan’s action will boost our beef cattle producers and create ripple effects throughout the Commonwealth’s economy,” Commissioner Quarles said. “The U.S. Meat Export Federation says open access to this market could mean an increase in domestic beef sales of 7 to 10 percent, and USDA says this expanded access could increase U.S. beef and beef product exports to Japan by up to $200 million annually. I applaud United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and his team for continuing to fight for America’s farmers.”
Commissioner Quarles also said an agreement with Canada and Mexico to remove tariffs is a positive development that could lead to completion of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) deal.
“Today’s announcement that the United States has reached an agreement with the governments of Canada and Mexico that will lift retaliatory tariffs on United States agricultural products is good news for America’s – and Kentucky’s – farm families,” Commissioner Quarles said. “I am hopeful that this announcement will pave the way for the quick, bipartisan ratification of the new USMCA agreement. USMCA is a good deal, and Kentucky farmers deserve swift action, not partisan politics, from Congress.”
— Kentucky Department of Agriculture
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