June 2007 Mad Cow News part two

Some Japanese consumers still fearful of U.S. beef

TOKYO, -- A public hearing demonstrated, according to this story, that Japanese consumer fears about the safety of U.S. beef persist, even as Tokyo appeared, headed towards restarting talks with Washington to ease current tight import rules for the meat. Reuters Link


U.S. won't move to ratify FTA unless S. Korea fully opens beef market, expert warns

SEOUL -- U.S. trade expert was cited in this story as warning that the U.S. administration will not take steps to ratify a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea without the full resumption of American beef imports to Asia's third-largest economy.
South Korea, once the world's third-largest buyer of U.S. beef, only resumed imports of boneless meat after a three-year ban because of mad cow disease concerns. Yonhap News Agency


U.S. must first get its house in order to expand beef exports

Billings, Mont. -- After months of see-sawing with the United States on U.S. beef exports, South Korea announced yet again that it would ban products from a major U.S. meatpacker.
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) still isn’t taking appropriate steps to restore the global competitiveness of the U.S. cattle industry,” said R-CALF USA Trade Committee Chair Eric Nelson. “Today, total U.S. beef exports remain well below 2003 volumes. Medications.com Link


Three Asian nations urged to open markets fully to U.S. beef

Washington -- Recent moves by Japan, South Korea and Malaysia to ease restrictions on imports of U.S. beef are welcome but those countries must take further action to reopen their markets fully, U.S. officials say.
"We are pressing for clear, aggressive timelines from our trading partners that demonstrate their commitment to internationally-agreed upon" animal health standards, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Mike Johanns said in a June 13 statement. USDA Link


S. Korea lifts suspension on U.S. beef imports Tyson, Cargill

South Korea lifted, according to this story, a suspension on imports of American beef from Tyson Foods. The suspension was lifted after the US confirmed that three shipments meant for domestic consumption were exported by mistake.
Seoul in late May and early June suspended imports from six facilities of 2 U.S. meat companies: Springdale-based Tyson Foods and Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Cargill Incorporated. Korean officials were cited as saying the companies sent beef that was intended for U.S. domestic consumption. ABC News Link

Dead cow tests positive for mad cow disease in Hokkaido

The Hokkaido prefectural government was cited as saying Thursday that a dead cow has tested positive for mad cow disease. Japan Today Link


S.Korea to inspect beef facilities in US

SEOUL, South Korea -- South Korea was cited in this story as saying it will conduct on-site inspections of beef industry facilities in the United States this weekend ahead of talks about further easing Seoul's restrictions on imports of American beef. Purdue Beef Blog