U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer today requested that the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) initiate a global safeguard investigation into imports of fresh, chilled and frozen lamb meat under Section 202 of the Trade Act of 1974.
In a letter sent to the USITC, Ambassador Greer stated that available information indicates rising lamb imports may be a substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic sheep industry and requested that the Commission promptly begin an investigation. If the USITC determines that increased imports have seriously injured U.S. producers, it can recommend safeguard measures, including tariffs or tariff-rate quotas, to provide temporary relief while the domestic industry rebuilds.
The investigation follows years of mounting concern over the condition of the U.S. sheep industry. Since 1994, imports of lamb and mutton have increased by more than 500% in volume and more than 2,000% in value. In 2024 alone, the United States imported nearly 30% more lamb than the previous year. Today, more than 70% of the lamb consumed in the United States is imported.
Meanwhile, domestic production has fallen by more than 60%. From 2017 through 2022, an average of approximately 2,500 sheep operations exited the industry each year, further eroding the processing, marketing and transportation infrastructure needed to support domestic production.
In 2023, Protect American Lamb, a project under the R-CALF USA Sheep Committee, formally requested that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative initiate a safeguard investigation under the Trade Act of 1974. Since then, R-CALF USA has continued urging federal action through congressional outreach, public advocacy and additional requests for import relief, warning that surging imports, primarily from Australia and New Zealand, threaten the long-term viability of America’s sheep industry.
“We greatly appreciate this action by Ambassador Greer,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard. “For far too long, imports have been undercutting our domestic sheep industry, and producers have been exiting the industry at an alarming rate, hollowing out rural communities, especially in the West.
“We will work closely with the International Trade Commission to ensure it has the facts necessary to see this investigation through to its proper conclusion, one that results in meaningful protections for our domestic lamb producers.”
The USITC will now determine whether increased imports are causing serious injury or threatening serious injury to the domestic industry. If so, the Commission will recommend appropriate safeguard measures for the President’s consideration under Section 202 of the Trade Act of 1974.
