Ecuador: U.S. Live Cattle Market Access Achieved in Ecuador
On December 11, Ecuador’s AGROCALIDAD confirmed acceptance of USDA Quito’s proposal to implement a 30-day quarantine period for blue tongue disease. APHIS posted the new export protocol on the website on December 17, 2014. Agreement on the quarantine period (in the United States) eliminates the last hurdle for U.S. live cattle (from all U.S. states) market access to Ecuador, as well as halves buyers’ animal feed and maintenance costs during quarantine. FAS Quito’s unceasing intervention with the Government of Ecuador senior level authorities and close coordination with APHIS led to successful protocol negotiations. The Government of Ecuador, through public sponsored and private sector purchases, anticipates importing about 30,000 head of cattle over the next three years. FAS Quito estimates that imports could surpass $75 million (at $2,500/head); U.S. exports could account for half of these imports, or about $35 million.
