Traceability is often discussed as an attribute that can help open new doors for exports of U.S. beef, and one that other beef-exporting nations have used to promote and differentiate their products in the international marketplace. It is difficult to quantify business that’s been either won or lost on the issue of traceability, because requirements vary not only from country to country, but also from customer to customer. In this article, we will cite examples of traceability programs in beef-producing countries and discuss how those programs impact global beef trade.
Background
Thousands of U.S. producers have enrolled their cattle in voluntary traceability programs – in many cases to meet the requirements of specific importing countries. Examples include the age and source verification program that was required for exporting beef to Japan between 2005 and 2013, when Japan only accepted beef from U.S. cattle 20 months of age and younger. Another example is enrollment in the non-hormone-treated cattle (NHTC) program, which is a prerequisite for exporting beef to the European Union.
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