The United States has launched a safeguards investigation into lamb imports, following claims from American sheep farmers that imports are injuring their industry.

The Meat Industry Association has been anticipating the move, chief executive Nick Beeby says. He believes NZ is not a threat to the US domestic producers, and there is an opportunity for us to work with them further.

“We are really disappointed in it, but it is something that we’ve been anticipating for a wee while,” he says.

“We believe that the process itself probably hasn’t been warranted or justified.

“The US takes about 9% of New Zealand’s total lamb volume, and exports there have been stable in volume while value has grown.”

Lamb consumption in the US is about 1% of total meat eaten.

“You need consistent supply 12 months of the year to grow a market, and they can’t do that by themselves.”

The association is working with Beef + Lamb New Zealand and has engaged legal representation.

“This is something that the industry takes incredibly seriously.”

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