Washington, D.C. -- Wyoming's congressional delegation sent a letter this week to the International Trade Commission (ITC) and U.S. Department of Commerce (USDC) asking the departments to "carefully consider" claims that Canada and Mexico are engaging in unfair trade practices.

Domestic cattle producers organized and submitted in October "antidumping" petitions to the ITC and USDC alleging cattle from Canada and Mexico are being sold in the U.S. at below market prices. The U.S. cattle producers estimate that this practice is costing cow-calf operators up to $100 per head.

The American ranchers believe producers in Canada and Mexico are able to flood the market with artificially low priced beef because of subsidies they receive from their governments. One of the U.S. producer petitions asks the U.S. government to step up tariffs to match the artificially low prices.

Sens. Craig Thomas and Mike Enzi and Rep. Barbara Cubin sent letters this week to ITC Chairman Lynn Bragg and Secretary of Commerce William Daley asking their departments to look into cattle producer claims that trade with Canada and Mexico is not being conducted in an open and fair manner. The delegation said if the rancher claims are valid, steps to correct the problem must be taken quickly.

"There is heightened concern among our family ranchers that the present trade situation, because of alleged unfair trade practices, is harming the domestic cattle industry," the delegation wrote. "In order for trade to benefit U.S. producers as intended, it is vitally important that measures be taken to address trade barriers and to protect U.S. cattle interests."