Protect lamb supply.
Build demand together.
A plain-language guide for American lamb businesses on the Section 201 safeguard case — and how to keep your supply steady, serve your customers, and protect jobs.
Roughly three-quarters of 2025 U.S. lamb supply was imported. Domestic production cannot replace that volume in the near term; imports fill the gap that keeps lamb on American shelves and menus.
The bigger prize is growth. Americans eat only about 1.5 pounds of lamb per person annually — far less than chicken or beef.
The ITC estimates 20–40 hours per response, so preparation matters. Once the ITC issues its questionnaires, the response window is expected to be short — likely measured in weeks.
July 2026 — USTR referred the matter on July 13 and the ITC has instituted the investigation. Questionnaires will be issued on July 30, 2026 and responses will be accepted until August 25, 2026. See key dates & updates →
The first formal step toward a trade case that could restrict reliable access to lamb has been taken in Washington. Because imports supply most of the lamb Americans buy, any restrictions on imported lamb would likely mean Americans eat less lamb overall, because it would be harder to source, more expensive and less competitive against other proteins.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will weigh the evidence, determine whether imports are causing serious injury or threat of serious injury to U.S. producers, and — only if it makes that affirmative finding — recommend a remedy. The president makes the final decision. Businesses in the lamb supply chain hold the evidence the ITC needs.
You can do four things now
Understand
Know what's happening and what it means for you.
Join and stay updated
Sign up for updates.
Start gathering your records
Be ready with strong evidence when questionnaires arrive.
Respond when questionnaires open
ITC questionnaires open July 30, 2026 — allow 20–40 hours.
The goal is straightforward: keep lamb on shelves and menus, hold prices steady, protect jobs, and grow the market for everyone — American producers included. Stable supply, affordable lamb, strong jobs.
Protect Lamb Supply
Protect Lamb Supply is an initiative bringing together American businesses and supply-chain partners — importers, processors, distributors, food-service operators, and retailers — working to protect a stable lamb supply and grow demand for the category. The initiative is supported by industry partners including the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA). Participation does not imply legal membership in a formal entity.
Once the process moves, the response windows will be short.
Join now to stay updated, and start gathering your records today so you're ready when the questionnaires arrive on July 30, 2026.