Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Merlin Carlson told the Congressional Executive Commission on China Friday that the Chinese ban on U.S. beef hurts China more than it helps.

China is one of more than 50 countries that banned U.S. beef following the discovery of mad cow disease in Washington State.

Carlson says he spoke with beef consumers on a recent trip to China. He says they want the ban lifted.

Before the ban, Carlson says the U.S. supplied several Chinese companies with much of their beef.

He says those businesses struggle without U.S. beef.

Carlson says Chinese confidence in U.S. beef should be bolstered by the increases in state and national beef regulation since the case was discovered December 23rd.