October 15, 2004

Panama Eases Restrictions on US Beef
 

Panama has lifted some restrictions on US beef, allowing the importation of products originating from animals no more than 30 months old.

Panama banned US beef nearly a year ago after a case of mad cow disease was detected in the United States.

On Wednesday, Panama's Agriculture Ministry began allowing US beef certified as coming from packing plants inspected by a veterinarian and killed after September 2004.

Panama imports some beef even though it raises most of its cattle. United States is one of the main suppliers.