April 1, 2011

US to push South Korea to fully open beef market

The US will continue to press on for a full opening of the South Korean beef market to achieve a bigger share in its fourth-largest beef export market.

In the report issued Wednesday (Mar 30) and titled "2011 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers," the US Trade Representative (USTR) said that achieving full market access for US beef product exports to Korea remains a top priority.

"The US government will continue to attach importance to the beef issue and will continue to urge Korea to open its market fully, consistent with science and international standards," the report said.

In 2010, US exports of beef and beef products to Korea reached 113,000 tonnes, valued at US$518 million, making Korea the fourth-largest US beef export market. This represents a 140% rise by value over 2009 sales, it said.

Seoul had banned all beef imports from the North American country in late 2003 after the first case of mad cow disease was confirmed.

The country partially reopened its market to US beef in 2006 and, after more negotiations, opted to open its market fully in 2008, although meat can only be provided from animals under 30 months old to alleviate domestic concerns about mad cow disease that can be fatal to humans.

Because of the mad cow scare, there were widespread national protests after Seoul agreed to fully reopen its market, which caused the government to ask Washington for minor modifications to beef trading conditions.