China prime for U.S. beef exports?

China prime for U.S. beef exports?    The U.S. Meat Export Federation is urging the U.S. government to follow the lead of Canada by pushing beef exports in China.
   China and Canada announced a new agreement last week that will open China to Canadian beef, something the USMEF called 'a significant development and a sign of a warming political relationship between the two nations.
   The federation said it is interested to see the ramifications of this agreement for U.S. beef, an estimated $200 million market for U.S. beef exporters.
   'Canada has been very flexible in working with governments along the Pacific Rim to adapt agreements to regain access for Canadian beef,' said USMEF officials, who said they believe the Canada-China agreement may be similar to the agreement that has produced the complete restoration of access for Canadian beef to the Hong Kong market. 'This deal with China is the latest and most commercially significant breakthrough by the Canadian government on behalf of its beef industry, and appears to be a solution fashioned in recognition of the needs and expectations of China.'
   The Canada-China agreement will reportedly be implemented in stages, starting with access for beef from cattle under 30 months of age as well as beef tallow for industrial use.
   'It is evident that the Canadian government at its highest levels has made restoring beef access to key export markets a top priority on its foreign trade agenda,' USMEF officials said. 'We understand that U.S. government negotiators will meet again with their Chinese counterparts soon to take their engagement process to the next step. Given the size and importance of the Chinese market, the U.S. beef industry has made restoring beef access to China its highest trade priority.'