January 25, 2008

US beef gains more market access in Asia and the Caribbean

US gained full market access on Wednesday as Indonesia and Barbados opened up for US beef and beef products of all ages.

Agriculture secretary Chuck Conner said Indonesia is setting a standard for other Asian nations by agreeing to import US beef and beef products consistent with World Organization for Animal Health guidelines.

Conner added that similar to US' agreement with the Philippines in November last year, the recent agreement with Indonesia emphasizes that the US will push for full beef market access throughout the Pacific Rim.

Barbados also opened the country to US beef imports. Conner said Barbados has one of the strongest economies in the Caribbean with large per capita incomes and more than half of their gross domestic product coming from tourism.

Currently, more than 100 countries now allow the entry of some US beef and beef products with the continued campaign of USDA to regain the markets.