TSCRA Daily News Update, April 18, 2008

Cattle Raisers welcome Korea's decision to re-open market to U.S. beef

Responding to the agreement to fully reopen South Korea's market to U.S. beef exports, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association President Jon Means of Van Horn said, "We are delighted that Korea chose to once again allow import of all U.S. beef and beef productsfrom cattle of all ages."

"TSCRA, alongwith other industry groups, has long urged the Bush Administration, U.S. trade negotiators and members of Congress to pursue resumption of trade with those countries who have banned U.S. beef. We applaud their efforts at working to achieve this agreement," said Means.

South Korea closed its market to U.S. beef and beef products after a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, was discovered in the United States in December 2003.

Prior to this, the country was the third-largest export market for U.S. beef—worth $815 million. Economists forecast that Korea potentially represents a $1 billion market and could become our top beef customer.

The country has allowed U.S. boneless beef from cattle under 30 months of age since September 2006, but this wasn't workable for U.S. beef producers because it excluded bone-in beef products, which Korean consumers prefer.

Initially, the trade agreement will pertain to animals under 30 months of age, but Korea has agreed this is a first step toward accepting meat from animals of all ages.

"The United States has continually exceeded World Trade Organization standards for a BSE-controlled risk country. This move by Korea is a step in the right direction to once again provide their people with safe, affordable, high-quality U.S. beef," said TSCRA Marketing Committee Chairman John Welch of Lubbock.

To read Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer's comments on the trade deal, click here: go.

To read what the U.S. Meat Export Federation has to say on the trade deal, click here: go.

© Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association