WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts is leading the Nebraska congressional delegation in a letter of support for Nebraska beef following a trade agreement with Argentina that is expected to increase beef imports.

The letter calls U.S. beef the best and safest in the world and says the United States cannot import its way to lasting lower prices.

The letter centers on Nebraska ranchers as the lifeblood of the economy and praises trade deals when they benefit domestic producers. The letter notes that the recent trade deal also allows agricultural exports to Argentina.

Here is the senator's press release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) led the Nebraska congressional delegation in sending a letter to President Donald Trump, expressing support for Nebraska beef after a trade agreement with Argentina. The letter underscores the importance of trade policies that create opportunities, stabilize markets and lower consumer prices.
In the letter, Senator Ricketts and the delegation emphasized Nebraska’s status as the Beef State. The letter also emphasizes how market stability in the cattle industry is critical to America’s food security.
The letter reads:

“Nebraska is the beef state. Our ranchers are the lifeblood of our economy. Thank you for your continued efforts to strengthen our economy and provide markets for our ranchers through international trade deals. The recent Argentina deal opens new export opportunities for U.S. beef while aiming to address consumer prices. We applaud the increased market opportunity for Nebraskan producers who produce the best, safest beef in the world.

“The United States’ cattle inventory is at 75-year lows. Despite historically low supply, demand for beef remains strong. Consumers choose U.S.-produced beef because it is the best, safest beef in the world. We must continue to fight for policies that support Nebraskan ranchers and their efforts to rebuild the herd. Growing the herd is the only long-term strategy for lowering consumer prices. We cannot import our way to lasting lower prices for consumers. It is paramount to ensure any imports meet the same strict safety standards as our producers.”

Dear President Trump,

Nebraska is the beef state. Our ranchers are the lifeblood of our economy. Thank you for your continued efforts to strengthen our economy and provide markets for our ranchers through international trade deals. The recent Argentina deal opens new export opportunities for U.S. beef while aiming to address consumer prices. We applaud the increased market opportunity for Nebraskan producers who produce the best, safest beef in the world.

The United States’ cattle inventory is at 75-year lows. Despite historically low supply, demand for beef remains strong. Consumers choose U.S.-produced beef because it is the best, safest beef in the world. We must continue to fight for policies that support Nebraskan ranchers and their efforts to rebuild the herd. Growing the herd is the only long-term strategy for lowering consumer prices. We cannot import our way to lasting lower prices for consumers. It is paramount to ensure any imports meet the same strict safety standards as our producers.

American producers meet and exceed rigorous U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspections, regulations for medicines, and measures for pathogen control to ensure consumer safety and satisfaction. All imports must be held accountable to the terms of the agreement and required to meet the same safety standards as U.S. producers. The anticipated dramatic increase in imports will require more USDA inspectors in Argentina to ensure safety standards are met. Without this expanded inspection capacity, non-compliant products could slip into the U.S. market and taint our secure supply chain. Imported beef that does not meet USDA standards would be catastrophic for public confidence and the reputation of U.S. beef. Taking steps to ensure the safety of consumers and the domestic herd, including expanded inspection capacity in Argentina, is essential to ensuring the integrity and reliability of the beef supply chain.

The Argentina deal expands market access for U.S. beef while placing limits on imported beef cuts. This is a significantly better approach for our ranchers than last year’s Argentinian beef announcement. Following that announcement, the markets dropped, and Nebraskan producers lost as much as $300 per head overnight. This kind of market volatility does not provide stability. It creates uncertainty and price fluctuations that directly harm cattle producers. This instability discourages herd growth, and in turn, keeps consumer prices from coming down.

As we work to reduce prices for consumers, opening markets and securing new trade deals strengthens the foundation of U.S. cattle production. New markets provide the stability needed for producers to grow the herd and result in lower prices for consumers. You have advanced this work and so have many of your cabinet-level agencies. We appreciate your continued efforts.

Stability and consumer confidence must also be top priorities when importing beef. Subjecting all imports to robust meat inspections to ensure they meet American health standards is the only way to provide consumers with this confidence.

We look forward to working with you and the administration to enact policies that promote stability, affordability, and long-term food security.