Owens Protects Utah’s Sheep Industry, Calls for Tariff Relief on Foreign Lamb Imports

<p><strong>WASHINGTON </strong>— In support of Utah’s sheep industry, Representatives Burgess Owens (UT-04) and Celeste Maloy (UT-02) sent a <a href="https://d12t4t5x3vyizu.cloudfront.net/owens.house.gov/uploads/2025/07/USTR-Letter-Utah-Sheep-Industry61.pdf">letter</a> to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and U.S. International Trade Commission Chair Amy Karpel urging the implementation of a Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) on lamb meat imports from Australia and New Zealand to restore fair market conditions for American producers.</p>

<p><em>&#8220;Thanks to President Trump, we’re finally seeing trade policy that puts America First, and that must include our ranchers,” </em><strong>said Rep. Owens.</strong> <em>&#8220;Utah ranks third in total sheep production, but over the past three decades, unfair trade, weak enforcement, and a flood of lamb imports have devastated our producers and driven a sharp decline in domestic production. I&#8217;m calling for a Tariff Rate Quota on lamb imports from Australia and New Zealand, a smart, targeted step to restore fairness, defend American production, and give our ranching families a fighting chance to compete and thrive.”&nbsp;</em></p>

<p><em>“Utah’s sheep industry isn’t just a vital part of the state’s economy, it’s an important part of Utah’s culture,”</em> <strong>said Rep. Maloy.</strong> <em>“I’m glad to partner with Congressman Owens, the U.S. Trade Representative, and the U.S. International Trade Commission to explore any opportunities and help strengthen the industry for years to come.”</em></p>

<p><strong>Background:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The United States imported over 309 million pounds of lamb in 2024, a nearly 30% increase from the previous year. Since 1994, lamb imports have surged by more than 500% in volume and 2,000% in value. Over 70% of lamb consumed in the U.S. now comes from overseas, while domestic production has collapsed by more than 60%.</p>

<p>The full text of the letter is available <a href="https://d12t4t5x3vyizu.cloudfront.net/owens.house.gov/uploads/2025/07/USTR-Letter-Utah-Sheep-Industry61.pdf">here</a>.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The post <a href="https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-protects-utahs-sheep-industry-calls-for-tariff-relief-on-foreign-lamb-imports">Owens Protects Utah’s Sheep Industry, Calls for Tariff Relief on Foreign Lamb Imports</a> appeared first on <a href="https://owens.house.gov">Burgess Owens</a>.</p>