Indonesia, Barbados fully open borders to U.S. beef

Indonesia, Barbados fully open borders to U.S. beef The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that Indonesia and Barbados have opened their borders to all U.S. beef products regardless of the age of the cattle.
   “This shows that constructive and steady discussions with our trading partners are bearing positive results for future U.S. beef products,” said Acting U.S. Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner in a statement.
   In late December 2003, most countries banned the import of U.S. beef products after the USDA confirmed a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or “mad cow” disease in a Canadian-born cow being raised in Washington state.
   Since then, the U.S. government has worked hard to restore its beef export business, and has encouraged countries to accept these shipments within the guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health.
   More than 100 countries now allow the entry of at least some U.S. beef products, the USDA said.
   Exports of these products to Indonesia reached a high of $17 million in 2005 with partial market access. Under the new agreement, USDA estimates that U.S. beef exports to Indonesia could double in 2008 and 2009. Exports of U.S. beef to Barbados were roughly $2.7 million in 2007 (January-November) with partial market access.
   Also Wednesday, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez met with U.S. Special Envoy to Korea Chung Hong-joon in Washington to discuss the pending U.S.-Korea free trade agreement and outstanding issues on the export of U.S. beef to the Korean market.