April 29, 2004

Extended Mad Cow Ban On US Beef Detrimental Long Term

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said Wednesday that the U.S. is making progress in reducing international restrictions on U.S. beef, but stressed that if existing bans are prolonged, it will have a detrimental effect on long-term buying patterns by consumers.
 
"It is very important that we reopen our top markets as soon as possible. a prolonged delay could result in longer-term diminished demand for U.S. beef, displacement by alternative products, substitution of suppliers, and permanent shifts in consumer-purchasing patterns. It may also have ripple effects in other agricultural sectors, such as the feedgrain and oilseed sector," Veneman said in prepared testimony at the House Agricultural Committee.
 
Japan and Korea, two of the largest U.S. beef markets, continue to ban U.S. beef since a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad-cow disease, was discovered in the U.S. in December. Mexico and Canada, two other major U.S. beef buyers, have lifted most of their restrictions.