The US Department of Agriculture has implemented new regulations for sheep farmers and processors. One of the most important of these regulations is to lift import restrictions on sheep, goats and other small ruminants. The restriction was in place for several years to limit the risk of spreading the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) disease.
This new a regulation has several consequences for the US sheep industry:
1. There Will Be an Influx of Foreign Mutton
Whenever the supply increases, the prices are bound to go down, so it's important to keep up with the sheep industry news daily. However, there are a lot of consumers who will prefer US grown mutton. To protect your business from the influx of imported sheep meat, you can adapt your marketing strategy to focus on the US origin of the meat.
2. Processors Can Get into New Partnerships
Businesses looking for new growth opportunities can find new international partners and create new supply chains. This will benefit both US consumers and the industry stakeholders, by adding new sources of mutton to the existing approved suppliers.
3. Farmers Can Improve Sheep Breeds
Importing sheep for breeding purposes can help farmers improve breeds by making them more resistant to various diseases, to climate change and other factors. In this way, the US can continue to offer consumers indigenous mutton, but with improved qualities.
