Agricultural News
Beef Industry Stresses Urgency for a TPP Vote During Lame Duck Session
Tue, 08 Nov 2016 11:56:38 CST
A vote for the Trans Pacific Partnership, TPP, in the lame duck session is becoming increasingly more urgent for those in the US beef industry. According to Michael Kelsey, executive vice president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, not passing TPP would put US beef at a severe disadvantage to our largest competitor, Australia, in accessing the Japanese market and others. Kelsey talked with Farm Director Ron Hays about the situation.
"It's getting serious, let's be very transparent and very honest," Kelsey said. "But when it comes to the lame duck, President Obama will be working to establish his legacy, if you will, and this is one he wants."
Kelsey explains that although both presidential candidates have little regard for TPP, the Obama administration is intent with getting the trade deal passed before the president leaves office. Therefore, hope remains in getting it brought to a vote during the lame duck session.
"If you look at those ten other countries that are involved in the 11 total countries," Kelsey said, "then there's some great opportunities for us there."
Currently, Japan holds a 38 percent tariff on US beef, says Kelsey. If TPP were to pass, that tariff would be lowered to only 9 percent and Kelsey says could eventually go away entirely. Kelsey also insists that having greater access to Japan's market and an overall increased presence in the region, would also pressure China into cooperating more with the US, both economically and diplomatically.
"We're going to press forward on that," Kelsey said, "and hopefully we'll get a positive lame duck vote on TPP."
Listen to OCA's Michael Kelsey and Farm Director Ron Hays discuss TPP and the growing urgency to get it passed in the lame duck session, during today's Beef Buzz.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
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