South Korea ends suspension of 6 U.S. meat plants

South Korea ends suspension of 6 U.S. meat plants The South Korean government has lifted its suspension of exports from six U.S. meat plants, according to press release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
   “USDA has taken action to ensure compliance with Korean import requirements here in the United States and Korea recognized these efforts,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said. “Despite some startup problems, beef exports to Korea are rapidly increasing.”
   The department did not reveal the names or locations of the six meat plants. According to the USDA, U.S. exporters have sold more than 500 tons of U.S. beef to South Korea this year.
   Johanns also said a U.S. delegation is in Japan to begin technical discussions, the next step in the process to more fully open the Japanese market to U.S. beef and beef products.
   Many countries banned U.S. beef shipments after the USDA acknowledged on Dec. 23, 2004 that a Washington state cow tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or “mad cow” disease.
   Since the United States was classified as a controlled risk country by the World Organization for Animal Health, the United States has been urging countries to reopen export markets to the full spectrum of U.S. cattle and beef products. The USDA is particularly keen on fully re-establishing the U.S. beef trade with high-value export markets, such as Japan and South Korea.