U.S. cattlemen see progress in South Korea

U.S. and South Korean trade negotiators have come to an initial import protocol regarding the resumption of some U.S. beef exports to South Korea. U.S. government representatives were in Seoul recently for meetings to discuss the ongoing ban on U.S. products and have signaled the conclusion of technical negotiations.

"After more than two years of patiently waiting for some sort of resolution, we regard this first step as a light at the end of the tunnel," says NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud. "But the truth is, an indefinite ban on our top-selling products in Korea remains. NCBA continues to actively urge the lifting of non-science based trade restrictions on U.S. beef exports around the world, and the progress with Korea today brings us one step closer to our goals."

The terms of the announcement resolves that South Korea will accept U.S. boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months of age, but will continue its ban on U.S. bone-in beef and variety meats--which historically accounted for roughly half of the total value of U.S. exports to South Korea.

"All U.S. beef and beef products are safe from BSE, and we urge trade negotiators to follow World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines in the negotiation of all agreements," says NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Jay Truitt. "There is no legitimate reason for Korea to sustain a ban on safe U.S. beef products, and our cattle producers find these restrictions unacceptable."

In 2003, $815 million worth of U.S. beef and beef products was exported into South Korea, boneless beef being $449 million of this total. South Korea banned U.S. beef and beef products on December 23, 2003, after Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) was found in a single cow of Canadian origin in the state of Washington.

"We have lead efforts in the agriculture industry to push for fair, free trade based on internationally recognized, science-based standards," says Truitt. "But we are disappointed that once again, at a time when breaking down trade barriers is considered to be the way forward for international agricultural markets, we have been hit with an arbitrary restriction on our ability to export U.S. beef."

"NCBA urges the full reopening of borders to U.S. beef as soon as possible," says Truitt. "Cattle producers across the country are disappointed with today's news. These products are completely safe, yet somehow these valuable products for U.S. cattle producers were taken off the table," says Truitt.

Date:1/24/06