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China opens markets to U.S. beef

After more than a decade of refusing to take U.S. beef, China has re-opened its markets in a move that will allow Montana ranchers to export their product to the Asian country.

China, along with many other countries, closed its markets to importing U.S. beef after a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly called mad cow disease, was confirmed in the United States in 2003. The cow was later discovered to have been imported from Canada.

Three other cases later were confirmed in cattle in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

U.S. officials - including the members of Montana's congressional delegation - have worked to restore beef trade to countries including China.

Montana's U.S. Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines praised China's agreement to resume importing U.S. beef.

"This new market will provide Montana cattle ranchers with the opportunity to grow their operations and create a good living off the land," Tester, a third-generation Montana farmer, said in a release Monday. "I am pleased to work with the Trump Administration to ensure that Montana beef is back on the menu in China."

Tester met with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and urged him to open up the Chinese market, as well as work with other officials to find new markets for American beef, the release said.

Daines, chair of the Senate Western Caucus, also praised the agreement.

"For the first time in 13 years, Montana beef will now be served on menus, plates and in Chinese households," he said in a statement Monday. "China is the world's second largest beef market. After my two official trade missions to Beijing, including pressing the Chinese Premier and endless conversations with the Trump and Obama administrations - the ban is over. Montanans know U.S. beef is the highest quality in the world and now our producers can compete on a level playing field. On my next trip to Beijing I look forward to seeing Montana beef on the menu."

 

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