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Overcoming ag trade barriers

The president of the American Farm Bureau Federation says as the U.S. and United Kingdom build on their trade framework, barriers to ag trade need to be addressed.

Zippy Duvall says the UK is influenced by the European Union’s rules and regulations.

“The EU is their biggest trading partner and they have to pretty much stick alongside the same standards the EU holds up, even though we think some of that doesn’t stand up to sound science.”

He says U.S. ag products going into the UK, like ethanol and beef, would have to meet EU production standards, which could affect U.S. farming practices.

“They are very interested in products being part of the Beef Quality Assurance program and other programs like that.”

Duvall says crop protection tools, like glyphosate, will likely get attention.

“Glyphosate is one of those crop protection tools farmers and ranchers across America and the world need to be able to continue to farm in a way that’s environmentally sustainable.”

Glyphosate use in the EU has been challenged in the past due to health concerns, but after a review and assessment by the European Commission based on science, European farmers are allowed to use the product through 2033 if they follow certain guidelines.

Duvall says he’s optimistic the Trump administration can address the sanitary and phytosanitary barriers as trade discussions continue with the United Kingdom.

“It’s not easy to overcome trade barriers, but we’re glad the Trump administration has agriculture at the top of the list as negotiations continue,” he says.

Last month, the U.S. and the United Kingdom reached a trade agreement in principle and the specific details of the trade agreement have yet to be finalized.

Duvall is meeting with government officials, ag leaders and farmers in the United Kingdom this week.