US beef exporters respond to Korea
23/06/2008
The controversy surrounding the re-start of beef exports from the US to South Korea continues.
The Korea Import Beef Association released a statement on June 20 declaring that, while the importers believe that US beef from cattle of 30 months of age and over is safe, as a transitional measure in response to current market conditions, they will only import US beef from cattle less than 30 months old.
In the statement they also requested that US beef exporters ask the US government to verify that beef exported to Korea meets this request.
The three associations representing the US beef industry delivered a letter giving their response to the US secretary of agriculture, Ed Schafer, and to trade representative, Susan Schwab, stating that the US beef industry was prepared to limit exports to Korea to products from cattle less than 30 months old, under a programme verified by the US department of agriculture as “a transitional measure to full market opening”.
The organisations asked the US government to establish an age verification system for Korea.
Following publication by the Republic of Korea of the “Import Health Requirements for U.S. Beef and Beef Products,” the U.S. Meat Export Federation will undertake a communication program to respond to questions that have been raised about the safety of U.S. beef and address the concerns that have been expressed in Korea, and we request the support and cooperation of the U.S. Government and the Government of Korea in this effort.
They said: “We value our relationships with our Korean customers and are committed to meeting their needs and addressing their concerns as US beef returns to the Korean market.”
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