Sens. Craig Thomas and Mike Enzi, both R-Wyo. and a group of 25 other senators wrote to the President of China this week to ask that his country end its embargo on U.S. beef. The letter text is below.
June 22, 2006
His Excellency Hu Jintao
President, Peoples Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R. China
Your Excellency:
We commend you for your leadership in strengthening ties between China and the United States. There are many areas in which our countries can work together to our mutual benefit. However we are concerned with the continued embargo on American beef. Resuming beef trade between our countries is a top priority.
During the April 2006 meeting between our countries at the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT), China agreed to conditionally resume imports of American beef by June 30, 2006. While this meeting was marked by significant progress, we are disappointed and concerned that China has yet to take the steps necessary to allow beef exports to resume.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and American ranchers are committed to ensuring that our animal and food safety programs keep pace with the science and international guidelines established by the Organization International d’Epizootics (OIE). The continued prohibition on U.S. beef and beef products is fundamentally inconsistent with the globally recognized food safety guidelines set by the OIE.
To that end, we urge you to quickly take the steps necessary to reestablish beef trade with the U.S. We appreciate your leadership on this issue and look forward to working with you to resume beef trade.
Sincerely,
