U.S. LAMB IMPORTS RISE, DOMESTIC PRODUCTION FALLS

U.S. LAMB IMPORTS RISE, DOMESTIC PRODUCTION FALLS    The annual U.S. imports of lamb meat rose from 60 million pounds, valued at $123 million, in 1997 to 108 million pounds, valued at $206 million, in 2001.
   According to a report by the International Trade Commission, “Industry and Trade Summary: Live Sheep and Meat of Sheep,' most of the imports came from producers in Australia and New Zealand.
   “Lamb meat, which accounts for the bulk of U.S. sheep meat production, declined by 12 percent, dropping steadily from 251 million pounds in 1997 to 222 million pounds in 2001,” the ITC said.
   In April 1999, the ITC determined that under the 1974 Trade Act, lamb meat was being imported into the United States in such quantities as to be economically harmful to the domestic lamb industry. The president responded in July 1999 by imposing a tariff rate quota on imports of fresh, chilled and frozen lamb meat.
   Australia and New Zealand challenged the U.S. lamb meat tariff through the World Trade Organization dispute settlement procedures. The WTO dispute panel ruled that the tariff was inconsistent with WTO rules. Following an appeal by the United States, in May 2001 the WTO Appellate Body upheld, in part, the ruling.
   The U.S. Trade Representative said on Aug. 31, 2001, that a settlement agreement was reached with Australia and New Zealand and the tariff rate quota ended Nov. 15, 2001.