Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns: More delays in resumption of trade with Korea

TSCRA Daily News Update, June 6, 2008

More delays in resumption of trade with Korea

June 3 had been announced by the government of South Korea as the official publication date for the new beef trade protocol in The Gazette – essentially South Korea's version of the Federal Register.

But due to protests and political unrest in Korea, the ruling Grand National Party requested and received a delay of this publication – effectively postponing the market opening.

In an attempt to address the situation, five U.S. packers announced a voluntary age labeling program for beef being shipped to South Korea. Tyson Foods, Inc., JBS Swift & Co., Cargill Meat Solutions Corp., National Beef Packing Co. and Smithfield Beef Group, Inc. have said they are willing to place special labels on boxes of beef shipped to South Korea.

The labels would indicate whether the product is from cattle under 30 months, or from cattle 30 months of age and over. The overwhelming majority of beef shipped to South Korea in the past was from cattle under 30 months of age, even though no age restriction was in place prior to 2003.

Multiple safeguards are in place to ensure the safety of all U.S. beef – regardless of the age of the animal from which it was derived. But the companies maintain that this labeling program would, "help ensure the reopening of the South Korea market and help rebuild the confidence of South Korean consumers in the safety of U.S. beef."