美国贸易代表办公室依据《1974年美国贸易法》第201、202条，将进口羔羊相关事宜移交美国国际贸易委员会启动全球保障措施调查，澳大利亚羔羊全产业链已准备好应对此次调查。

澳大利亚肉类行业理事会（AMIC）首席执行官蒂姆・瑞安表示，在本次201条款调查过程中，理事会将联合全行业各方，保障澳大利亚持续作为值得信赖的稳定羔羊供应方，填补美国本土羔羊产量与市场需求之间的缺口。

“澳大利亚羔羊出口商与美国采购商、消费者建立了长期合作关系，支撑着美国羊肉消费市场的稳定与增长，实现美国本土养殖户与澳大利亚出口商互利共赢。

澳大利亚肉类行业理事会强调，进口羊肉是美国全年羊肉稳定供给、保障民众羊肉消费不可或缺的组成部分。

本次201条款调查覆盖所有国家的进口羔羊，并非专门针对澳大利亚。该调查只是法定流程的第一步，并不会直接征收关税或出台其他贸易限制措施。

理事会已联合产业链合作伙伴及澳大利亚政府，为澳大利亚羔羊出口开展必要的法律抗辩。启动此类调查令人遗憾，但我们有信心，澳方行业能够提交详实、以事实为依据的材料，证明澳美双边贸易带来的双向收益。”

澳大利亚绵羊养殖协会（SPA）首席执行官邦妮・斯金纳称，澳大利亚整条供应链将协同配合、共同应对调查。

“行业具备充分依据，能够向美方展现澳美长期贸易合作的价值。

澳大利亚绵羊养殖户以出产高品质羔羊为荣，深受美国消费者认可与喜爱。澳大利亚羊肉供应可弥补美国本土产能缺口，保障全年羊肉消费需求。

事实上，澳美养殖从业者长期通过全球行业论坛开展合作，共同推动羊肉消费需求增长。”

澳大利亚肉类及畜牧业协会（MLA）北美区域经理保罗・达席尔瓦表示，澳美绵羊产业在扩大美国羊肉消费市场方面目标一致。

“数十年来，澳大利亚肉类及畜牧业协会持续投入各类推广项目，携手美国本土企业提升羊肉产品知名度、推动市场试销。

羊肉品类市场扩容，对澳美两国肉羊养殖户均有益处。我们将持续积极参与本次调查相关流程沟通。”

澳大利亚肉类行业理事会、澳大利亚肉类及畜牧业协会与澳大利亚绵羊养殖协会将紧密对接行业会员、政府及产业链相关方，在201条款调查中维护澳大利亚行业利益，统筹全行业统一应对，并全程向澳大利亚红肉加工厂、出口商与养殖户同步最新调查进展。

消息来源：MLA

The Australian lamb supply chain is ready to respond to a US global safeguard investigation into lamb imports, following the United States Trade Representative's referral of the matter to the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), under Sections 201 and 202 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974.

Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) Chief Executive Officer, Tim Ryan said AMIC will work with industry to ensure Australia continues playing an important role as a trusted and reliable lamb supplier that contributes towards meeting the gap between US domestic lamb demand and production, as part of the Section 201 investigation.

“Australian lamb exporters have built a long standing relationship with US customers and consumers, which has ultimately underpinned the maintenance and growth of lamb consumption in the US to the mutual benefit of US producers and Australian exporters.

“AMIC emphasises that imports are essential to the total year-round US supply and availability of lamb to the American consumers.

The Section 201 investigation will look at imports from all countries and does not specifically target Australia. The investigation is the first step in a statutory process and does not itself impose tariffs or other trade measures.

“AMIC is already working with our partners across the supply chain and with the Australian Government to mount the necessary legal defence of Australian lamb imports as part of the Section 201 investigation. It’s disappointing to see this type of investigation, but we are confident the Australian industry can deliver a robust, fact-based case demonstrating the mutual benefit of Australia’s trade.

Sheep Producers Australia (SPA) Chief Executive Officer Bonnie Skinner said the Australian supply chain would work collaboratively to respond.

“Industry is well positioned to demonstrate the value of Australia's long-standing trading relationship with the United States,” she said.

“Australian sheep producers take pride in producing high-quality lamb that is trusted and enjoyed by American consumers. Australian supply complements domestic production and helps meet year-round consumer demand for lamb.

“In fact, Australian and American producers have a long history of collaboration through global industry forums to grow demand for lamb.”

Paul da Silva, Regional Manager – North America at Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) said that the Australian and American sheep industries share common goals in promoting lamb consumption in the US.

“MLA has invested in programs to help grow lamb consumption in the US for decades, working with American owned-businesses to increase product awareness and trial.

The growth of the lamb category benefits both Australian and American lamb producers. We will continue to engage constructively with the process.”

AMIC, MLA and SPA will work closely with members, government and industry stakeholders to represent Australia’s interests in the Section 201 investigation, support a coordinated industry response and ensure Australian red meat processors, exporters and producers are well informed throughout the investigation.

Source：MLA