Moran Comments on Korea's Announcement to Resume Imports of U.S. Beef

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jerry Moran today commented on Korea's decision to resume imports of U.S. boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months of age. Importing more than $800 million worth of beef, Korea was one of largest importers of U.S. beef prior to the closing of its border in December 2003.

"Congressional persistence and the efforts of U.S. Department of Agriculture officials have paid off and the reopening of Korea's market to U.S. boneless beef means more good news for American producers," Moran said. "We are still in the beginning stages of regaining full access to important markets like Japan and Korea, but each step is key to the economic survival of Kansas ranchers. We will continue working to be the number one provider of beef products in homes around the world."

Korea closed its market to U.S. beef in December 2003 when a single case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) was discovered in a Canadian-born dairy cow. Since that time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture aggressively implemented additional safety checks in the beef system to further guarantee the safety of American beef. U.S. standards have and continue to exceed international beef safety standards.

As a senior member of the House Committee on Agriculture, Moran has continued his efforts to reopen foreign markets to U.S. beef. He previously met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea and also with President Bush, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns and former U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman to discuss strategies and progress of reopening foreign markets.

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