Thursday, The Trump Administration announced the U.S. is just a step away from China allowing U.S. beef imports. The timeline for China to resume trade is July 16 or before. Kent Baucus, Director of International Trade with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says China first said in September they would lift their 13-year-old ban, but that hasn’t resulted in any sales.

Baucus says they are anxious to work with the Chinese on safety protocols that would allow a commercially viable market.

He says the Chinese have asked for traceability and they do have a precedent already established for this with Japan that U.S. cattle producers can build upon.

However, Baucus says its important the cattle industry does not try to reinvent the wheel or agree to protocols that are too costly for producers to comply with.