Trump to sign orders to boost beef imports, rebuild cattle herd, White House says

CHICAGO, May 11 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump is set to sign executive orders on Monday to allow increased beef imports into the U.S. and to support renewal of the U.S. cattle herd in an effort to address high beef prices, a White House official said.

The official did not provide details on the two executive orders, which come at a time when the U.S. cattle herd has shrunk to its lowest level in 75 years and beef prices continue to climb.

The Wall Street Journal earlier had reported that Trump would temporarily suspend tariff-rate quotas on beef, which would allow more of the meat to enter the U.S. at lower tariff rates. The newspaper also said that Trump would direct the Small Business Administration to increase lending to ranchers and to reduce protections for gray and Mexican wolves that prey on herds under the Endangered Species Act.