Smith Statement on Agreement with Israel to Import Nebraska Beef

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new agreement with Israel to lift the ban on U.S. beef imports, which has been in place since 2003.

“It is fitting Nebraska’s Third District – the number one agriculture district in the country – will supply Israel with its first U.S. beef shipment after the lifting of this multi-year ban,” Smith said. “This success story exemplifies how important it is for us to work with our trading partners around the world to combat non-scientific trade barriers and open more markets to Nebraska products.”

WR Reserve in Hastings will send the first significant beef shipment from the United States to Israel. In November, Smith sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack asking the USDA to assist WR Reserve (referred to in the letter as Nebraska Prime) in acquiring the appropriate certifications to provide kosher meat products for international markets, including Israel. To view the letter, click here.

Smith serves on the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade policy.