NCGA Applauds South Korea, Singapore Lifting of U.S. Beef Ban (1-18-06)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) welcomes news that South Korea and Singapore have initial agreements to reopen their markets to U.S. beef. The initial agreements will allow the United States to export boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months of age under a Beef Export Verification Program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the South Korea agreement last week. Informa Economics reports that Singapore reached its agreement today.

“South Korea and Singapore’s decision to reopen their markets to U.S. beef is great news for corn and livestock producers,” said Bill Chase, NCGA Production and Stewardship Action Team chairman. “These nations, along with Japan last month, realized U.S. beef is safe for consumers, and we’re hopeful other Asian nations consider lifting their bans on U.S. beef soon. NCGA applauds the efforts of Secretary Mike Johanns and U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman in securing these agreements.”

“We welcome the conclusion of our technical negotiations in Seoul. This paves the way for the reopening of Korea's beef market, and we anticipate that trade will resume toward the end of March after Korea completes its import procedures," said Secretary Mike Johanns in a press release. "Korea has been our third largest market for beef exports, so regaining this market has been a priority for the Administration.”

Bone-in beef products, such as ribs, are not included in the agreement.

South Korea and Singapore have prohibited imports of U.S. beef and beef products since December 2003 following the detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in a single cow of Canadian origin in Washington State.

Before the ban took effect, the United States exported in 2003 beef and beef products to Korea valued at $815 million. Of that $449 million was boneless beef.

Singapore imports about 5 percent of its beef products from the United States. The majority of its imports come from Australia and New Zealand.