The American Sheep Industry Association says the U.S. Trade Representative has recommended launching a formal investigation into imported lamb meat, marking a major step forward in the industry’s trade case. The recommendation follows a petition filed by ASI last October on behalf of more than 100,000 U.S. sheep farms and ranches, claiming imported lamb has seriously harmed domestic producers.
According to ASI, lamb imports climbed nearly 45 percent between 2020 and 2024, with imported product now accounting for about 70 percent of the U.S. market.
ASI President Ben Lehfeldt says, “This milestone was no accident. It has been through the hard work of ASI state member leaders, staff, and sheep producers throughout the country that we reach this point.”
The U.S. International Trade Commission will now begin a formal safeguard investigation to determine whether rising imports have injured the domestic sheep industry and whether trade relief is warranted.
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