Australian Sheepmeat Industry Preparing For Next Phase Of USITC Imported Lamb Investigation

The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) and Sheep Producers Australia (SPA) note the US International Trade Commission (USITC) was evenly divided on whether lamb imports injured, or threaten to injure, the US lamb meat industry.

The Commissioners were evenly divided, in a tied 3-3 vote, in determining whether imported lamb has caused, or threatens to cause, serious injury to the US lamb meat industry.

The Australian industry is encouraged by today’s vote, and as the investigation continues to the next phase, it will keep advocating strongly, to advance the argument that Australian lamb complements US domestic production and is neither a cause nor a threat of serious injury to the US lamb meat industry.

Under US law, an evenly divided outcome in the injury phase progresses to the next phase of the investigation, in which the USITC and other US agencies will consider whether a remedy should apply.

Importantly, an evenly divided outcome does not in itself result in any trade restrictions on imported lamb to the US.

Current trade arrangements for Australian lamb will remain unchanged until the end of March 2027, while the remaining phases of the process are underway.

This process includes a hearing on 1 December, before the USITC submits its report and recommendations to the US President on 11 January 2027.

AMIC Chief Executive Officer Tim Ryan said Australian lamb has played a vital role in strengthening the lamb category and growing demand among US consumers in a competitive protein market.

“Australian lamb is entirely complementary to US domestic production,” Mr Ryan said. “A strong US lamb industry requires ongoing demand from US retailers, food service businesses and consumers, and imports play a clear role in supporting this through reliable, year-round supply."

"Imports fill seasonal gaps in domestic supply and help maintain the critical mass the category needs to remain viable.

By keeping lamb on menus and in stores year-round, Australian lamb ensures US producers have a strong market to sell into – and that market is essential to their confidence to invest.

The success of the US lamb category has been built on the contribution of both domestic and imported product, and by working collaboratively we can continue to grow the lamb category in the US."

Sheep Producers Australia Chief Executive Officer Bonnie Skinner emphasised that the process was not yet concluded.

“Australian sheep producers value the longstanding trade relationship with the US and the important role our lamb plays in supporting the US market,” she said.

“We presented a comprehensive, evidence-based case throughout this investigation and will continue to represent the interests of Australian sheep producers as reliable trading partners as the process moves to its next stage.”

“It's important to be clear, this outcome, alone does not impose any new trade restrictions. While the remedy phase of the investigation progresses, Australian lamb continues to enter the US on the same terms as before.”

AMIC and SPA, alongside Meat and Livestock Australia and the Australian Meat Processor Corporation, will continue working closely with the Australian Government, industry stakeholders and US end users to ensure Australia's interests are strongly represented as the process moves to its next stage.