NATIONAL peak body the National Farmers Federation (NFF) says it supports other industry groups as they seek to ensure lamb exporters’ ongoing access to the lucrative US market.
As reported by the ABC, the US International Trade Commission (US ITC) is investigating whether to impose additional tariffs on lamb from several nations, including Australia.
The American Sheep Industry Association claims imports rose by about 45% between 2020 and 2024, making up more than 70% of the US market and selling at a discount.
The US ITC has launched a global safeguard investigation to determine if lamb meat imported from other countries, including Australia, threatens the domestic industry.
Australia exported around 100,000 tonnes of lamb to the US in 2025.
NFF president Hamish McIntyre said they unequivocally supported “Sheep Producers Australia, the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) and Meat & Livestock Australia as they lead the industry's engagement on this issue”.
“Importantly, there is no immediate impact on Australian sheep producers' ability to supply the U.S. market, and the industry is well placed to engage constructively with the process ahead,” Mr McIntyre said.
“Australian sheep producers have built a long-standing reputation as a trusted and reliable supplier to the United States, complemented by a strong history of collaboration with U.S. industry partners to support and grow lamb consumption.”
Mr McIntyre said the NFF had long championed “free, fair and rules-based trade, recognising its role in supporting economic growth, global food security and a stable international trading environment”.
“Australia and the United States share a deep and enduring agricultural relationship, underpinned by trade, investment, innovation and strong people-to-people ties,” he said.
“Farmers' interests, and Australia's broader national interests, are best served by an open, predictable and evidence-based global trading system.”
Earlier AMIC chief executive, Tim Ryan said they would work with industry to ensure Australia continued playing an important role as a trusted and reliable lamb supplier to the US.
“Australian lamb exporters have built a long‑standing relationship with US customers and consumers,” Mr Ryan said.
“AMIC emphasises that imports are essential to the total year-round US supply and availability of lamb to the American consumers.”