October 21, 2005

Thailand removes US beef import ban

Thailand has lifted its US beef import ban, imposed in 2003 after a cow was discovered to have BSE in US' Washington state, the USDA announced on Oct 20.

Although Thailand is a relatively small market for US beef compared with Japan and South Korea, the ban lift is hoped to encourage other Asian countries to follow Thailand's example.

"It is now time for Japan, South Korea, China and other Asian markets to follow suit. There is no justifiable reason for borders to be closed to US beef," said US Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns in a press release.

Japan, formerly the biggest US beef customer, has not yet lifted its ban despite agreeing to do so last fall. Lawmakers are now urging US trade officials to penalise Japan.

Thailand now represents a growing market for US beef once beef trade resumes and upon the completion and implementation of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

US agricultural exports to Thailand have increased 67 percent from US$409 million in 1999 to a record US$685 million in 2004, making Thailand the 17th largest market for US farmers and ranchers.