Report outlines US trade implications of antimicrobial restrictions in poultry, livestock

A new Congressional Research Service report takes a look at the potential trade implications for U.S. livestock and poultry exports from tightened restrictions or prohibitions in the use of antimicrobial drugs in animal feed for growth promotion.
The report focused on two specific scenarios: "tightened restrictions or prohibitions on key U.S. export markets, without corresponding changes in the United States on the use of antimicrobials in animal feed for growth promotion" and "tightened restrictions or prohibitions in key U.S. export markets, with corresponding prohibitions in the United States on the use of antimicrobials in animal feed for growth promotion." Possible outcomes under these scenarios, in terms of changes in U.S. livestock and poultry exports and changes in U.S. market share in global meat markets, were discussed, though the report determined that it is currently impossible to predict all future implications due to the large number of market variables and trade issues that would also need to be predicted.