The U.S. Import of Beef: Friend or Foe to Domestic Beef Production?

Authors

Sunil P. Dhoubhadel, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Matthew C. Stockton, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

1-27-2010

Comments

Published by the Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Copyright 2010 Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Controversy surrounding the United States import of beef has been an issue since at least 1958, which marked the beginning of major imports from Australia (Edward, 1964). From the onset, U.S. beef producers have been concerned that beef imports would depress the prices they receive for their product. Consumer groups, on the other hand, have welcomed increased imports, expecting that increased competition would lower meat prices. As a result of these conflicting views, the past 50 years has seen the creation of various measures of legislation which control the volume of imports.