Daily News Update, Jan. 18, 2008

Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns: Mexican trade update

USDA met with Mexican officials last week to discuss the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was scheduled to be fully implemented on Jan. 1, 2008.

To address trade concerns in the livestock sector, the United States and Mexico agreed to establish a working group. The livestock working group will meet by mid-February. NCBA is hopeful this discussion will lead to the movement of older cattle and breeding stock into Mexico as prompted by the final BSE minimal risk region rule implemented Nov.19, 2007.

"Significant progress on this issue has been made in discussions between the two governments," says NCBA's Chief Economist Gregg Doud. "Further discussions are necessary, but we expect to get this breeding stock issue resolved and be up and running in a matter of weeks."