South Korea takes crucial step toward restoring U.S. beef trade

South Korea takes crucial step toward restoring U.S. beef trade    South Korea has agreed to an initial import protocol on Friday, which could lead to restoration of U.S. beef imports by the end of March.
   Korea prohibited imports of U.S. beef in late December 2003 after the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or “mad cow” disease, in a Washington state cow.
   In 2003, prior to the ban, the United States exported $815 million worth of beef products to Korea, of which $449 million was boneless beef.
   “Korea has been our third-largest market for beef exports, so regaining this market has been a priority for the (Bush) administration,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns in a Jan. 13 statement.
   “For nearly 18 years, South Korean consumers have appreciated the great taste, consistent high quality and great value they have found in U.S. beef,” said Philip M. Seng, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, in a statement. “We look forward to the day very soon now when they will be able to have this experience again.”
   The initial agreement with South Korea will allow the United States to export boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months of age under a Beef Export Verification Program.
   According to an Associated Press report, South Korean cattle ranchers openly protested their government’s decision on Friday to lift the ban.
   Since December, the United States has succeeded in restoring beef exports to Japan and Hong Kong. The United States has implemented a number of changes in how it monitors cattle for signs of mad cow disease.
   “As we continue discussions with Korea, I urge Thailand, China, Taiwan and Singapore and others to comply with science-based international guidelines and reopen their markets to U.S. beef,” Johanns said.