MSGA works to expand trade opportunities for Montana beef at APEC meeting

MSGA works to expand trade opportunities for Montana beef at APEC meeting

Big Sky, Mont. – Representatives of the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) have been in Big Sky, Mont. this week, at the invitation of U.S. Senator Max Baucus, working to expand trade opportunities for Montana and U.S. beef with the 21 Asia-Pacific member economies attending the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Trade Ministers meeting.

“I’ve fought hard to ensure better market access for Montana beef across Asia and the Montana Stockgrowers Association have been a real partner in the process,” Senator Baucus said. “There’s no doubt, Montana beef is the best in the world and the APEC meetings in Big Sky are the perfect opportunity to spread the word. If we can boost our beef exports to APEC countries, we can strengthen our ranching communities and create good-paying jobs here at home.”

MSGA President, Watty Taylor of Busby, Mont., Executive Vice President, Errol Rice, Conservation and Farm Program Associate, Carl Mattson, and former MSGA President/current National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President, Bill Donald, have been attending the meetings.
“This has been an incredible opportunity for our association as we work toward achieving global competitiveness for Montana ranchers,” said Errol Rice. “We want to thank Senator Baucus for his leadership in bringing this very important meeting to Montana.”

According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation U.S. beef and variety meat exports to APEC member countries totaled $3.47 billion in 2010, accounting for 85 percent of total U.S. beef export value. Exports to APEC member countries equated to $130.33 per head of fed cattle slaughter in the U.S.

“U.S. beef exports to APEC member countries were worth more than $194 million to Montana ranchers,” Rice said. “We hope to see that dollar amount continue to increase. At this meeting we observed the APEC high-level dialogue on food security as a private sector delegate where we had the opportunity to discuss with other delegate economies how Montana ranchers can offer innovative approaches to meeting the growing global demands of food production and food security.”

High on MSGA’s priority list throughout the APEC meeting has been a continuing discussion with Korean delegates about expanding beef exporting opportunities to the country once the U.S. Congress has ratified the KORUS Free Trade Agreement. MSGA met with Kyeong-Kyu Kim, Minister Counselor with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, in Big Sky this week to promote the safety and quality of Montana and U.S. beef. MSGA’s delegates also participated in a steak and eggs breakfast with Senator Baucus, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, Montana agriculture leaders and senior officials from APEC’s 21 member economies this morning. MSGA will be testifying in support of the KORUS FTA in Washington D.C. next week May 26th before the Senate Finance Committee, which is chaired by Senator Baucus.