South Korea re-opens market to U.S. beef

The Washington Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau Federation welcomed the April 18 announcement that South Korea will fully open its market to U.S. beef consistent with World Animal Health Organization (OIE) standards.  

“This agreement with Korea has been a long time coming,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “Farm Bureau has been steadfast in its support for fully reopening foreign markets for U.S. beef in compliance with OIE standards. It is important that all ranchers are able to ship their beef based on sound and predictable rules.”

South Korea closed its market to U.S. beef and beef products after a case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) was discovered in the United States in December 2003.  Prior to this time, South Korea was the third-largest export market for U.S. beef and beef products, and the United States exported $815 million worth of beef and beef products in 2003.  South Korea partially reopened its market to deboned beef from cattle less than 30 months of age in January 2006, but this reopening was subject to several interruptions and the market has been effectively closed since October 2007.

“It is now time for other countries that have continuing restrictions against U.S.-produced beef to act in conformity with the OIE standards,” noted Stallman. 

Further said Stallman, “Now that this obstacle with Korea has been overcome, AFBF urges swift congressional passage of the Korea free trade agreement.”

AFBF estimates the FTA will increase U.S. agricultural exports to Korea by $1.5 billion per year after full implementation.