Philippines to allow imports of U.S. beef

Philippines to allow imports of U.S. beef    The Philippine government has lifted its ban on imports of U.S. beef.
   Under the agreement announced on Aug. 4, the United States will be able to export boneless beef from cattle not older than 30 months to the Philippines. The estimated value of the Philippines market for U.S. boneless beef is $2.5 million. In 2003, the United States exported $4.9 million in beef products to the Philippines.
   After the December 2003 discovery of the first U.S. cow infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or “mad cow” disease, the Philippines placed restrictions on certain types of U.S. beef, while allowing imports of U.S. boneless beef from cattle not older than 30 months, starting in January 2004.
   In June 2005, the Philippines imposed a temporary ban on beef from the United States following confirmation that a second U.S. cow had tested positive for BSE.
   According to a statement from the U.S. Trade Representative, the Philippine government also said it would not impose in-quota imports of poultry to safeguard duties. “This move ensures continued U.S. access to the Philippine poultry market, the second largest in Southeast Asia,” the agency said.