November 7, 2006

US beef imports to resume in Colombia and Peru, USDA

Colombia and Peru decided to lift the BSE-related ban on US beef imports after nearly three years, said the USDA on Friday, Nov 3.

The ban came in December 2003 following the outbreak of mad-cow-disease or bovine spongiform encephalopathy in US beef and beef related products. The US at that time exported a combined total of more than US$4 million worth of beef and beef products to the two countries, according to the USDA.

The openings represented progress in their efforts to reopen global markets for US beef, said USDA secretary Mike Johanns. American producers were proud of their safe, high-quality beef products, and valued the opportunity to deliver their products to consumers in South America and around the world, he added.