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Apr-20-2008

South Korea Will Lift Its Ban on American Beef

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Once the third-largest import market for U.S. beef, South Korea imposed a blanket ban on American imports in 2003 following an outbreak of mad cow disease in the United States. (More...)
South Korean tariffs on autos and auto parts account for much of the U.S. trade deficit with South Korea, said Thea Lee, AFL-CIO policy director. (More...)
South Korea announced Friday it will be opening up its doors again to import beef from the United States. (More...)
The addition of the South Korean market, while important, isn't completely imperative. (More...)
South Korea announced on Friday that it had agreed to resume the imports just hours before leaders of the two countries were to meet in Washington. (More...)
Seoul also agreed to scale back measures that Washington charged are trade barriers, like a tax based on engine size. (More...)
Beef from older cattle will also be cleared for imports after the U.S. strengthens controls on feed to reduce chances of infection, the ministry said. (More...)
Now, however, Lee's position on North Korea may turn out to be even tougher than Mr. Bush's as the United States presses hard for an agreement. (More...)
"A last-minute, unenforceable, untested, agreement on beef is not enough to satisfy Congress,'' Levin said in a statement. (More...)
The U.S. exporters made it a hot button issue for congress, which then demanded that the imports be resumed - or else the FTA would be scrapped. (More...)
Talks between Japan and the U.S. over Japanese restrictions have not made progress since experts from the two governments met in Tokyo in August last year, said Takashi Himeda, director at the animal health division of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. (More...)
Beef from cattle 30 months old or younger will first be imported starting mid-May. (More...)

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Once the third-largest import market for U.S. beef, South Korea imposed a blanket ban on American imports in 2003 following an outbreak of mad cow disease in the United States. It later eased the ban by allowing imports of boneless beef from cattle younger than 30 months. The agreement comes just hours before South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, in the United States on his first overseas trip since taking office in February, meets U.S. President George W. Bush at the Camp David presidential retreat. U.S. lawmakers have said a landmark trade pact the two countries struck about a year ago would be scuttled unless South Korea opened its market fully to U.S. beef. Analysts have estimated the trade deal, which needs approval by legislatures in both countries, could boost their two-way, $78 billion annual trade by about $20 billion. [1] Just 24 hours before South Korean President Lee Myung-bak was scheduled to meet with President Bush at Camp David, South Korea said Friday it would relax import restrictions on U.S. beef. Assistant South Korean Agriculture Minister Min Dong-seok announced details of the deal, reached after months of wrangling between both countries' trade negotiators. He says the two sides agreed on sanitary conditions that permit the import of most beef parts - including those with bones - from U.S. cattle under 30 months old. That is seen as a crucial first step in opening South Korea's beef market, which the government slammed shut in December 2003 after a single case of mad cow disease was discovered in the United States.[2]

South Korea banned import of U.S. beef in 2003 due to mad cow fears. It eased the ban in 2006 but effectively halted all imports last October. The ban-lifting decision was made as South Korean president Lee Myung-bak held talks with Bush in his Camp David retreat amid warming ties. Despite the rejection of the Colombia deal, the Bush administration is determined to handle the FTAs it signed with foreign countries in the order they were inked. It would continue to push for ratification of the Colombia deal before tackling the agreement with Panama and then the one with South Korea.[3]

The announcement was made by Seoul and by U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, who characterized the agreement as the major obstacle to congressional consideration of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement. Critics, however, said there are others - an $11 billion deficit in automotive trade among them - and no deal can be expected anytime soon. President Bush welcomed new South Korean President Lee Myung-bak at Camp David on Friday, where the two began two days of talks on free trade and North Korea, and both sides held up the accord on beef as a major breakthrough. Prior to the closing of its market in December 2003, U.S. beef producers exported 247,000 metric tons of beef to South Korea, worth $816 million.[4] The FTA, the biggest for the U.S. since the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, was signed last June. Lee is scheduled to hold talks in the U.S. later today with President George W. Bush, who said he wouldn't submit the deal to Congress until South Korea removed restrictions on U.S. beef. Given animosity between Democratic lawmakers and Bush, election-year politics and an impasse over a similar agreement with Colombia, the Korean accord faces a steep climb this year, analysts say.[5]

The U.S. International Trade Commission estimates the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, or KORUS, could raise U.S. exports by an additional $10 billion to $12 billion, making it the biggest U.S. trade deal in 15 years. Senior farm state lawmakers -- including Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat, have warned the White House not to submit the agreement for congressional approval until South Korea fully reopened its market to U.S. beef. Many Democrats -- including presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton -- have criticized the agreement, which they say fails to tear down South Korea's "non-tariff barriers" to U.S. automobiles while opening the U.S. market to more South Korean cars.[6] Smith said the reopening of the South Korean market is especially good news "in light of last week's disappointing move to shelve the Colombia trade agreement" by the U.S. House of Representatives. South Korea closed its market to U.S. beef and beef products after a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly called mad cow disease, was discovered in the United States in December 2003.[7] FORT WORTH, Texas, April 18, 2008'Responding to the agreement to fully reopen South Korea's market to U.S. beef exports, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association President Jon Means of Van Horn said, 'We are delighted that Korea chose to once again allow import of all U.S. beef and beef products from cattle of all ages. TSCRA, along with other industry groups, has long urged the Bush Administration, U.S. trade negotiators and members of Congress to pursue resumption of trade with those countries who have banned U.S. beef. South Korea closed its market to U.S. beef and beef products after a case of BSE was discovered in the United States in December 2003. Prior to this, the country was the third-largest export market for U.S. beef'worth $815 million.[8] WASHINGTON -- The U.S. and South Korea agreed on a plan to lift the Asian nation's ban on American beef exports, removing a major impediment to action in Congress on a free-trade deal with South Korea, though significant hurdles remain. The agreement came amid South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's first formal visit to Washington since taking office two months ago and was the result of a furious round of negotiations this week among trade officials for both countries.[9] After years of uneasy relations with South Korean leaders whom the White House considered soft on North Korea, President Bush will warmly welcome on Friday a South Korean counterpart who talks tough about the North. Mr. Bush's meetings with Lee's predecessor, Roh Moo-hyun, who was elected on an anti-America platform, were often notable for their awkwardness. Mr. Bush and Lee will be eager to signal a new, cooperative tone as they push a reluctant Congress to ratify an ambitious free trade deal, work to settle a spat over South Korea's ban of American beef and discuss ways to persuade North Korea to fulfill commitments in six-nation nuclear negotiations.[10] Rick Hargrave, a spokesman for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, said Friday it would be next week at the earliest before any action is taken regarding the sea lions. CAMP DAVID ''' President Bush and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak opened two days of talks on Friday focusing on North Korea's unfulfilled pledge to disclose its nuclear activities and a U.S. free-trade deal with South Korea that faces an uphill battle in Congress. Bush hopes to strengthen sometimes-shaky U.S.-South Korea ties under Lee, a pro-American conservative who took office in late February and made the United States his first overseas trip. Their get-to-know-you meeting took on renewed importance when South Korea announced Friday that it would lift its ban on U.S. beef imports.[11]

Even after the beef deal, a free trade pact faces stiff opposition from the two Democratic presidential candidates, Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, who have concerns about the openness of the Korean auto market. It is traditionally difficult for major legislation to pass through Congress in an election year and Clinton and Obama have seized on the backlash and made their opposition to the deal their top selling point in Michigan, home to General Motors, Ford Motor and Chrysler. U.S. beef, under the new rules, will be allowed in as early as mid-May but South Korea said it will stop imports if the United States lost its "controlled risk" country status.[1] The South Korean free trade agreement is the most commercially significant pact the United States has signed in 15 years. Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus, who hails from the cattle rich state of Montana, had pledged to stall the pact until Korea lifted its ban on U.S. beef imports.[12] Starting in mid-May, the Korean government will start letting in imports of beef from younger animals, including cuts with the bone in, according to the Associated Press. If U.S. regulators tighten controls on cattle feed, they'll let in all beef imports. "With this full resumption of U.S. beef exports to South Korea, the major obstacle to congressional consideration of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) is removed.[12] I am very pleased that safe, affordable, high-quality American beef will soon be back on Korean tables. This will be a huge boost to our ranchers and producers who have waited patiently to regain the access to the South Korean beef market that was lost in December 2003." "With this full resumption of U.S. beef exports to South Korea, the major obstacle to Congressional consideration of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) is removed.[13] The latest agreement over U.S. beef exports is expected to pave the way for the ratification of a free trade agreement between Seoul and Washington in the U.S. parliament. "With this full resumption of U.S. beef exports to South Korea, the major obstacle to Congressional consideration of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) is removed," said Schwab. "The KORUS FTA -- the most commercially significant FTA we have concluded in over 15 years -- will create new opportunities for U.S. workers, farmers, ranchers, businesses, and entrepreneurs across the country," she added.[14]

SEOUL - South Korea on Friday agreed to open up to U.S. beef imports after Washington pledged to raise safety standards, boosting prospects for a sweeping trade deal ahead of a summit between leaders of the allies later in the day. It removes a big obstacle to U.S. congressional approval of the trade deal, the biggest since the North American Free Trade Agreement went into force in 1994, and should brighten the atmosphere as leaders prepare to discuss North Korea's nuclear ambitions, trade and military cooperation.[1] SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea agreed to resume U.S. beef imports that had been halted over mad cow disease, clearing a key hurdle to a broader trade deal with Washington just hours before the countries' leaders were to meet Friday.[15]

Restricted imports resumed last April but have been on hold since October when a shipment contained animal parts that have been banned over mad cow concerns. South Korea's chief negotiator, Min Dong-seok, said his government also agreed not to immediately halt imports even if a new case of mad cow disease is discovered in the U.S. Instead, Seoul would only move to halt imports if the World Organization for Animal Health downgrades its safety rating for American cattle. That organization determined last year that the U.S. was a "controlled risk nation," a category that means countries can export beef regardless of the animal's age -- adding to pressure on Seoul to lift its import ban.[16]

An agreement on the beef issue "helps a lot,'' Senator Max Baucus of Montana, who supports the Korea-U.S. accord, said on April 17 in Washington. Baucus said that once the Korean market is fully opened to U.S. beef he would be ready to begin discussions on bringing the free-trade deal to a vote. The U.S., the world's third-largest beef exporter behind Brazil and Australia, is trying to regain its export markets. In February, Meat & Livestock Australia said the expected relaxing of restrictions on U.S. beef imports by South Korea and Japan this year, would cause a "significant readjustment'' of Australia's beef sales from North Asia to other markets in Asia, the U.S. and the domestic market. Japan, Asia's biggest beef importer, allows beef imports from the U.S. on condition that meat is from cattle aged up to 20 months and that specified risk materials, such as spinal cord, are removed from products.[5] National Cattlemen'''s Beef Association CEO Terry Stokes also praised the deal to re-open South Korea'''s market to U.S. beef. He promised a new wave of U.S. beef exports to South Korea would have a measurable impact on the bottom line for cattle producers. '''When we look at just one of the products they buy ''' beef short ribs ''' we'''ll see $20 to $30 per head added value to our cattle,''' Stokes said in a statement. Of course, short-ribs used to be the U.S beef product in most demand by South Korean buyers, before South Korea closed its market to U.S. beef back in December of 2003 after America's first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). That incident closed most markets to U.S. beef, and several key markets remain closed or severely restricted. USDA Under Secretary Mark Keenum told USDA'''s Radio Newsline the re-opening of South Korea'''s market may pave the way to a full resumption of U.S. beef exports to a number of those now-closed or restricted markets, especially '''in the areas of Southeast Asian and around the world, but specifically with Japan, China, Taiwan,just to name a few.'''[17] The KORUS FTA - the most commercially significant FTA we have concluded in over 15 years - will create new opportunities for U.S. workers, farmers, ranchers, businesses, and entrepreneurs across the country. It will also deepen our relations with one of our closest allies, and strengthen our vital strategic economic engagement in Asia." "I hope South Korea's leadership on this issue will convince leaders in Japan, Taiwan, China and other markets still maintaining unscientific, unreasonable restrictions on U.S. beef and beef products to take a hard look at this issue, consider the benefits for their consumers, and follow South Korea's lead in reopening their markets based on internationally recognized scientific guidelines and standards." 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 $815million 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.[13]

In the course of U.S.-South Korean negotiations, South Korea came to accept that U.S. beef exports are consistent with international standards and World Animal Health Organization safety guidelines, and eventually it will accept U.S. beef and beef products from cattle of all ages, said Sean Spicer, a spokesman for Schwab, the trade representative.[4] Economists forecast that Korea potentially represents a $1 billion market and could become our top beef customer. The country has allowed U.S. boneless beef from cattle under 30 months of age since September 2006, but this wasn't workable for U.S. beef producers because it excluded bone-in beef products which Korean consumers prefer. Initially, the trade agreement will pertain to animals under 30 months of age, but Korea has agreed this is a first step toward accepting meat from animals of all ages.[8] "A last minute, unenforceable, untested agreement on beef is not enough to satisfy Congress," said Levin, chairman of the House Ways and Means trade subcommittee. "The problem with this FTA has always been broader than beef - it is the agreement's basic acquiescence to (South) Korea's one-way street in manufacturing trade that is also unacceptable." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, said through an aide that the administration should not send the trade agreement to Congress until both the beef and auto issues are resolved. Last week, Bush sent a fast-track trade agreement with Colombia to Congress, but Pelosi said she would not act on it expeditiously. The U.S. and South Korea signed the trade agreement in June, but Bush did not present it to Congress because lawmakers said they would not consider it until South Korea dropped all its restrictions on U.S. beef. South Korea said it would phase in U.S. beef, first allowing cuts with bones in them from animals younger than 30 months and later raising the age limit.[4] The U.S.-South Korea trade accord, the biggest for the U.S. since the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, was signed last June. The Bush administration hasn't submitted it to Congress, saying lawmakers such as Senate Finance Committee Max Baucus wouldn't even begin to consider it until South Korea dropped all its restrictions on U.S. beef.[18]

A complete resumption of beef trade between the U.S. and South Korea has been seen as a prerequisite to Congressional consideration of a pending free trade deal between South Korean and the U.S. And the National Pork Producers Council hailed the beef deal as a step toward getting Congress to approve the larger free trade agreement (FTA). '''Prompt congressional passage and implementation of this agreement is absolutely critical to pork producers, who are going through tough economic times,''' said a statement from NPPC President Bryan Black.[17] The summit will be held outside Washington at Camp David, where Mr. Lee will be the first South Korean leader to visit the presidential retreat. Washington and Seoul signed a free trade agreement last June, but it is still awaiting legislative approval in both countries. White House officials have urged the U.S. Congress to look hard at the agreement, arguing that it will increase trade both ways. Earlier this month, South Korean voters gave Mr. Lee's Grand National Party a parliamentary majority, helping to clear the way for passage of the agreement there. U.S. lawmakers have previously said they would not approve the deal until a dispute over beef was resolved.[19] WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A deal to allow U.S. beef exports back in the South Korean market boosts chances Congress will vote on a free trade pact with Seoul, but House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats said on Friday the pact's auto provisions should be revamped.[6]

The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea said in a statement that South Korea had agreed to allow beef of all ages and all cuts. "The previous Korean government had promised to open the beef market over and over again for over two years but did not keep their promise," chairman William Oberlin, who was accompanying Lee in the U.S., said in the statement. "However, President Lee, who has only been in power for less than two months made this possible." The U.S. has demanded Seoul fully open its beef market, saying it is needed for congressional leaders in Washington to back a free trade accord that the two countries signed last year.[20] The concession by Seoul came shortly before the leaders of the two countries - South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President George W. Bush - were scheduled to meet in a summit at Camp David. It removes a major hurdle that had been delaying a pending free trade agreement between the U.S. and South Korea.[21] Beef has been a sore spot of negotiations between the U.S. and South Korea, threatening the approval for a wider free-trade agreement - one of the key agenda items at a summit Friday in Washington between South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and President George Bush.[22] South Korea will allow beef from older cattle after the U.S. strengthens controls on feed to reduce chances of infection. The reported breakthrough came as new South Korean President Lee Myung-bak prepared to start his first summit with U.S. President Bush on Friday in the United States.[10] The beef issue had caused tension between South Korean and U.S. officials, and stood in the way of broadening other trade agreements. JBS Swift CEO Joesley Mendonca Batista, in a conference call with analysts and investors earlier this week, said he was confident that Korea would lift the ban and that Japan -- another market closed to U.S. exports -- would follow suit. In announcing the trade resumption, South Korean officials said they will allow beef from older cattle once the United States strengthens controls on feed to reduce chances of infection.[23] Washington, DC -- United States Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab welcomed the agreement to fully reopen South Korea's market to U.S. beef exports consistent with international standards and World Animal Health Organization (OIE) guidelines.[13] South Korea has agreed that is a first step toward accepting all U.S. beef products from animals of all ages as directed by the OIE guidelines. "South Korea has raised the bar for other Asian nations, such as Japan, Taiwan and China," Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said, "and the United States will continue to press for full market access throughout the rest of the Pacific Rim so that unreasonable restrictions on U.S. beef and beef products are fully removed." U.S. agricultural trade generates employment, income and purchasing power in both the farm and nonfarm sectors.[7] In the first step of the agreement, South Korea will allow the importation of all U.S. beef from cattle under 30 months of age, including bone-in beef. The second phase of the agreement, which will expand to include cattle of all ages, will be triggered by an announcement by the United States of enhancements to the U.S. livestock feed ban. More details on this will be released as they become available.[24] South Korea, once the third-largest importer of U.S. beef, imposed a blanket ban on American imports in 2003 following an outbreak of mad cow disease in the United States. It later eased the ban by allowing imports of boneless beef from cattle younger than 30 months.[25] South Korea suspended U.S. beef imports in 2003, after mad cow disease was discovered in the United States, cutting off what was then the third-largest market for American beef.[26] Before South Korea banned imports of U.S. beef in late 2003 over an outbreak of mad cow disease there, it imported about around 199,000 tonnes worth $850 million of the product a year. The United States once accounted for two-thirds of its beef imports.[27] More than four years after closing its borders to imports of U.S. beef due to a case of mad cow disease found in a dairy cow in Washington state, South Korea said Friday it will fully reopen its market, moving to restore what was once more than $800 million in business a year to U.S. producers. It won't happen overnight, for consumer confidence will have to be restored, but imports could be flowing by mid-summer, according to beef industry executives.[4] South Korea was the third-largest market of beef for the United States, importing an average of $850 million per year - until South Korea banned all U.S. beef in 2003 over mad cow disease concerns.[21] South Korea banned U.S. beef imports in 2003 amid concerns over a case of mad cow disease in the United States, closing what was then the third-largest market for U.S. beef exporters. South Korea resumed imports on a limited scale in April 2007 -- allowing the United States to ship boneless beef from young animals -- but it halted them again in October 2007.[28]

North Dakota officials praised South Korea's agreement Friday to resume U.S. beef imports that had been halted over worries about mad cow disease. "U.S. beef is the safest, healthiest beef you'll find anywhere in the world," said Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D. "Both Korean consumers and American ranchers will benefit from this long-overdue step."[26]

The trade agreement would eliminate or reduce tariffs on a wide range of goods including automobiles, vegetables and electronics. South Korea imported $815 million of U.S. beef in 2003, the most behind Japan and Mexico, before all imports were banned late that year when the U.S. found its first case of mad-cow disease.[5] April 18 (Bloomberg) -- South Korea's decision to allow imports of U.S. beef won't be enough to get a pending trade agreement approved by Congress this year, a top Democratic lawmaker said.[18]

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States and South Korea may have ended a longstanding row over beef but the headway seems insufficient to convince the Democratic-controlled Congress to ratify a free trade agreement between the two allies. Hours after Seoul announced its decision Friday lifting a ban on American beef imports, senior Democratic lawmakers trained their guns at South Korea's lucrative auto sector, saying it should be opened wider.[3] The signed but not-yet-ratified free trade agreement (FTA) is expected to be a major topic. Some U.S. lawmakers repeatedly have threatened to reject the FTA that was concluded early last year with Seoul, unless South Korea fully opens its market to American beef.[29]

'''Exports contribute significantly to producer profitability, so it is important to continue expanding sales opportunities through trade agreements.''' Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle praised the decision by South Korea to resume the beef trade on a largely unrestricted basis. Senate Ag Committee Chairman Tom Harkin noted South Korea had kept its market closed to U.S. beef for well over four years for what appeared to be political reasons. "So it'''s a welcome sign that Korean government has backed away from its restrictions on U.S. beef imports and decided to reopen its borders to U.S. beef imports,''' Harkin said in a statement. '''This is a great day for American beef producers and for our trade with the Korean government.'''[17] "Approving the free trade agreement will only make beef sales greater because the free trade agreement includes a phase-out of South Korea's 40 percent tariffs on U.S. beef." He said South Korea's announced reopening, combined with the free trade agreement, could make South Korea "our No. 1 export market," Smith said.[7] Schwab expressed optimism that South Korea 's leadership on the beef issue will convince Japan, Taiwan, China and other markets to drop restrictions that lack scientific basis. She said full resumption of U.S. beef exports to South Korea removed the major obstacle for congressional consideration of the long-term trade agreement between the two countries.[30] Read the statement from U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab welcoming the agreement to fully reopen South Korea's market to U.S. beef exports.[13]

The U.S. Meat Export Federation estimates the U.S. beef industry has lost between 3.5 billion and 4 billion in beef exports to South Korea since December 2003, when concerns of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease, slammed shut the trade doors.[22] In 2007, the amount had dropped to 24,240 metric tons worth $117 million, according to Steve Kay, editor and publisher of Cattle Buyers Weekly in Petaluma. South Korea joined Japan and 56 other nations to close their markets after the sick cow was found at a slaughterhouse in Moses Lake, Wash., and U.S. beef industry losses were some $10 billion from 2004 through 2007 as a result, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation in Denver.[4]

Because Nebraska is ranked first in the country in red meat production and second in the number of cattle, Olsen said, the state's economy "stands to gain a great deal with the reopening of a very important export market for Nebraska." U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., also said South Korea agreeing to fully reopen its market to U.S. beef consistent with international standards and World Animal Health Organization (OIE) guidelines is good news for beef producers. "Since 2003, we have been locked out of a major marketplace, and it is high time these doors are reopened," Smith said.[7]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration on Friday welcomed South Korea's decision to relax import rules for U.S. beef, removing a stubborn obstacle to consideration of a major bilateral trade deal.[31] SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea agreed on Friday to open its market to U.S. beef, boosting prospects for a sweeping trade deal, ahead of a Camp David summit between leaders of the two allies later in the day.[25]

Seoul - South Korea agreed Friday to ease restrictions for U.S. beef imports imposed because of the risk of mad-cow disease, thus removing one obstacle for the ratification of a free trade pact between the two countries.[29] SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- South Korea has tentatively agreed to resume U.S. beef imports that had been halted over concerns of mad cow disease, a news report said Friday, just hours before the two countries' leaders were to hold a summit.[32] The government of South Korea had banned U.S. beef imports since 2003 after a case of bovine encephalopathy, or mad cow disease, was discovered in the state of Washington.[23] South Korea suspended the import of U.S. beef in late 2003 to prevent mad cow disease. In April 2007, South Korea reopened its market to U.S. beef but halted imports again in October the same year after finding bones in the imported U.S. beef.[14] At the time South Korea cut the imports in 2003 due to Mad Cow Disease, it was the third largest market for U.S. beef totaling nearly one billion dollars.[33] South Korea suspended U.S. beef imports in 2003 after mad cow disease was discovered in the U.S, cutting off what was then the third-largest market for American beef.[10] South Korea was the third largest foreign market for U.S. beef before it banned imports in December 2003 over the possibility of mad cow disease. JUNEAU ''' Gov. Sarah Palin has given birth early to her fifth child, a son named Trig Paxson Van Palin.[11] South Korea banned all U.S. beef in 2003 due to concerns over mad cow disease.[34]

All seven of Tyson's U.S. beef processing plants are approved to ship beef to South Korea, Mickelson said. South Korea is one of the world's largest markets for short ribs, and USMEF economists estimate the opening for this market will add up to 18 of value per head for every cattle slaughtered in the U.S. Broader market access in South Korea could not come at a better time for the U.S. beef processors whose margins averaged just 5.44 per head last week, compared to 57.73 a year ago, according to an industry note by Aslam. She said the South Korean market for U.S. beef should be strong because domestic beef prices there are among the highest in the world.[22] "We've had promises made before by South Korea that have turned up empty," Conrad said. "I hope things will be different this time." Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., said he met with South Korea trade officials last year to talk opening Korean markets to U.S. beef. "I view this agreement as very welcome news," Pomeroy said.[26] SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- Hours before a U.S.-South Korean summit, the two nations have reached an agreement that could clear the way for South Korea to resume imports of U.S. beef, a South Korean news agency reported Friday.[28] Democratic lawmakers on Friday dashed hopes that a South Korean agreement to end a ban on U.S. beef imports would quickly lead to ratification of a trade deal between the countries.[35] Dalrymple said Korean stores were stocking Australian beef at $40 per pound. "They really prefer our beef and want our beef, and of course. they'd like to pay a lower price," Dalrymple said. "The Koreans were well aware that as long as their U.S. beef import ban was in effect, there was not much chance Congress would pass the U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement - something they want very much," Johnson said in a statement. He said the trade agreement could bring more sales of North Dakota canola, soybeans and other products.[26] The beef import agreement removes a big obstacle to U.S. congressional approval of the trade deal, the biggest since the North American Free Trade Agreement went into force in 1994, and should brighten the atmosphere as leaders prepare to discuss North Korea's nuclear ambitions, trade and military cooperation.[25]

"The U.S. has said South Korea needed to restore beef trade before a free trade agreement could be approved," Larry Smith said.[7] Lifting the U.S. beef ban was apparently the last hurdle to jump to ensure the passage of the South Korean Free Trade Agreement. "The bottom line is there's a trade agreement, and they're going to benefit on one aspect, and we're going to benefit on other aspects," Koontz said.[36] WASHINGTON, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The agreement to fully reopen the South Korean market to U.S. beef exports is consistent with international standards and World Animal Health Organization (OIE) guidelines, U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said Friday.[14] The policy change will take effect in mid-May, according to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Susan Schwab. 'This is outstanding news for the U.S. beef industry and for South Korean consumers,' said Philip M. Seng, president and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).[24] Loss of South Korean sales has cost the U.S. beef industry as much as $4 billion since 2003, said Erin Daley, research and analysis manager with the U.S. Meat Export Federation, a trade group representing Tyson Foods Inc., Sara Lee Corp. and others.[5]

While U.S beef and auto exports have been at the center of the U.S. - Korea trade debate, a lesser-known but critically important area of the proposed accord is the economic benefit to U.S. workers and service providers. KORUS would eliminate many of the regulatory and economic barriers that have prevented American businesses from achieving their full potential in the booming South Korean economy, the tenth largest in the world with a gross domestic product of nearly $1 trillion.[37]

"U.S. beef is the highest quality, safest beef in the world, and it is critical for Nebraska's producers to have full access to the South Korean market." Nebraska Cattlemen President Larry Smith said he has high hopes for increased beef sales to South Korea. He said restoring trade could help Nebraska regain its claim as the No. 1 meat and live animal exporting state.[7] One lawmaker took a more jaundiced view of Friday'''s announcement. Nebraska Democratic Senator Ben Nelson issued a statement expressing skepticism South Korea would follow through on its promise to resume imports of U.S. beef. '''Unfortunately, we'''ve been down this road before with the Koreans and too many times we'''ve seen it unravel,''' the Nelson statement pointed out. '''Since Korea has previously shut down trade over a bone chip the size of a piece of rice, they have real work to do to rebuild our trust in how they will treat U.S. beef shipments; our producers deserve nothing less.'''[17] SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- South Korea agreed to lift some restrictions on U.S. beef imports with resumption of shipments possible as early as mid-May, the South Korean government said Friday.[38] April 18 (Bloomberg) -- South Korea agreed to ease curbs on U.S. beef imports imposed because of the risk of mad-cow disease, clearing an obstacle to ratification of a $29 billion free-trade accord between the two countries.[5] South Korea was once the third largest market for U.S. beef, with imports worth $850 million a year before the ban in 2003.[34] The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Seoul said that beef imports from the United States were expected to be resumed in mid-May. Last year, South Korea lifted an import ban imposed in December 2003 after the U.S. reported its first outbreak of mad-cow disease.[29] U.S. lawmakers had warned Congress may reject a massive trade liberalization deal between the United States and South Korea if the beef issue is not resolved.[2] JBS officials recently announced the company would acquire the No. 3 and 4 U.S. beef packers -- National Beef and Smithfield -- so resuming trade with South Korea could make the deal even sweeter.[36] The deal initially will allow bone-in U.S. beef from animals 30 months or younger to enter South Korea, with an eventual opening to beef from all ages.[39] The new protocol, which will take effect in mid-May, defines conditions for importation of U.S. beef to South Korea and provides for a full reopening of the market. It is fully consistent with OIE guidelines and will permit all U.S. beef and beef products from cattle of all ages to be exported to Korea, with appropriate Specified Risk Materials (SRMs), as defined by the OIE, removed, while guaranteeing commercial viability for U.S. industry.[13] The announcement by the USTR notes that the import protocol agreed upon with the South Korean government will allow U.S. beef and beef products from cattle of all ages, which is consistent with World Animal Health Organization (OIE) guidelines and prevailing international standards.[24] The deal, as announced, would allow virtually all U.S. beef products from cattle of any age back into the South Korean market.[17]

"I am pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with the South Korean government to reopen the Korean market to all U.S. beef and beef products, from cattle of all ages," Ambassador Schwab said.[13]

The agreement on the resumption of U.S. beef imports, reached between officals at negotiations in Seoul, came just hours before South Korean President Lee Myung Bak and U.S. President George W Bush were to meet at the Camp David presidential retreat.[29] The beef issue has been a major irritant in relations between the allies, and threatened prospects for approving a wider free-trade agreement — one of the main agenda items at a summit starting Friday in Washington between South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and President Bush. Although not directly related to the free-trade pact, some U.S. lawmakers had insisted the beef issue needed to be resolved for them to back the deal. Legislatures in both countries have yet to approve the pact that was negotiated last year.[15] The agreement, if confirmed, would be a concession by Seoul to the United States aimed at facilitating U.S. ratification of a broader free-trade deal struck last year between the two sides. The reported breakthrough came before South Korean President Lee Myung-bak was to start his first summit with President Bush on Friday.[20] Unfortunately, the imports were halted again in October 2007. Analysts have estimated that once the deal will be approved by legislatures in both countries, their two-way annual trade which is currently at about $78 billion will be boosted by at least $20 billion. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is in the United States on his first overseas trip since taking office in February and is expected to meet U.S. President George W. Bush at the Camp David presidential retreat today.[40] South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is visiting the United States this week to meet with U.S. officials and President Bush to discuss a range of issues, including the proposed Korean-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS).[37]

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, fresh from rejecting President George W. Bush's move to force legislature to vote on a free trade agreement with key South American ally Colombia, shared similar concerns on autos in the Korean deal. "When the agreement was done, even the negotiators knew there was concern in Congress about beef and autos and they both need to be resolved satisfactorily before it is sent to Congress," Pelosi's spokesman Brendan Daly told AFP.[3]

Closure of the Korean market in December 2003 because of mad cow concerns from a case in Washington has haunted a pending free-trade agreement.Ratifying the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement will lift the health claim, open access and eliminate a 40-percent tariff on U.S. beef. Friday's announcement is a welcome breakthrough, and representative of this state's stake in the free-trade agreement.[41] In 2007, the U.S. exported an estimated 53.4 million pounds valued at $117.3, although shipments were limited to boneless beef from cattle under 30 months of age, and the market was only open for an intermittent five months during the year. 'While this is momentous news for the U.S. beef industry, it also clears one of the major obstacles to the approval of a formal free trade agreement between our two nations,' said Seng.[24] Restrictions on U.S. beef have been one impediment to the trade agreement, which President Lee Myung Bak needs to meet a pledge to boost economic growth to 7 percent and double per- capita income to $40,000 a year by 2017.[5] The trade agreement would eliminate or reduce tariffs on a wide range of goods including automobiles, vegetables and electronics. With beef being resolved, the U.S. banks, insurance companies and other services companies that stand to gain the most from this accord are gearing up their lobbying efforts. Beef "has been our biggest obstacle in having a meaningful dialogue on the benefits of this agreement,'' said Matt Niemeyer, vice president for the business insurer ACE Ltd. and a former U.S. trade official. "It's now time to work with Congress to find a way to move this important agreement this year.''[18]

Cattle producers are eyeing South Korea, while U.S. makers of everything from beer to batteries lobby Congress for approval of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement.[42] Representative Sander Levin, the chairman of the House Trade Subcommittee, said South Korea's decision to let in U.S. beef won't be enough to get the free-trade accord approved by Congress.[5] Trade negotiators agreed to fully reopen South Korea's market to all U.S. beef and beef products.[41] Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., a key member in agricultural affairs, said Friday there will be no movement on broader trade with South Korea until U.S. beef of all ages is available in stores there. The Harris Ranch Beef Co. in Selma (Fresno County), prior to 2004, sold 100,000 lbs. of beef weekly to South Korea, notably chuck and short ribs, both very popular, and has sold nothing since October 2007.[4]

Continued mad cow-related restrictions on U.S. beef trade with Japan and South Korea have hurt exports, Chief Executive Officer Richard Bond of Tyson, the world's largest meatpacker, said on Nov. 12.[5] U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab remained optimistic, describing news of the resumption of beef exports to South Korea as removal of "the major obstacle" to Congressional consideration of the FTA.[3] According to a September 2007 report by the International Trade Commission, the FTA's elimination of tariffs and tariff-rate quotas alone is projected to increase annual U.S. exports to South Korea by $10 billion. The agreement also includes state-of-the-art provisions in areas such as intellectual property rights protection and financial services.[13]

Negotiators for the U.S. and South Korea reached agreement early this morning to resume beef trade.[30] Friday, April 18, 2008, 4:12 PM by Peter Shinn The announcement Friday of an agreement to fully re-open South Korea'''s market to U.S. beef in accordance with World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines spurred an immediate outpouring of praise from meat industry, livestock and other ag producer groups, as well as lawmakers.[17] April 18 (Bloomberg) -- South Korea's agreement to let in U.S. beef will not be enough to get a pending free-trade agreement approved by Congress, a top Democratic lawmaker said.[43]

South Korea's farm ministry said in a statement that imports of U.S. beef will be expanded gradually and it would allow in bone-in beef from cattle under 30 months as a first step.[1] South Korea's agriculture ministry said it has decided to allow imports of U.S. beef with bones from cattle less than 30 months old.[29] South Korea agreed to allow imports of beef with bones from cattle under 30-month old and further relax regulations to import meat from cattle older than 30 months if the U.S. strengthens control on feed.[38]

The Friday announcement bolsters the argument that U.S. beef is safe, said Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson. "South Korea is an important market for the United States, and I'm glad to see they have agreed to resume trade on our beef exports," he said. "This announcement was a long time coming, and it is good news for our nation's cattle producers."[16] Japan was the major consumer of U.S. beef prior to 2003, and South Korea was third, after Mexico. Together, Japan and South Korea represented 58 percent of the United States' global export markets in beef and variety meats, such as tongue and liver, according to Kay.[4] "The opening of South Korea is pretty important," said Stephen Koontz, an agriculture economist for Colorado State University in Fort Collins. "Prior to the border closure, they were the third largest export market" for U.S. beef.[36]

Bone fragments or chips among shipments of boneless boxed beef bound for South Korea will no longer be a problem for Tyson Foods Inc. or other U.S. beef processors as the two countries inked a deal Friday to resume shipments of bone-in beef product by mid May.[22] At the time, South Korea was importing $815 million worth of U.S. beef and beef products annually.[7] The country purchased only $612,000 of U.S. beef in 2006, according to the federation. With full reopening, South Korea sales may reach pre-mad cow levels within 18 months, she said. "There's tremendous demand for short ribs in South Korea,'' which alone will add as much as $18 to the value of a head of cattle once sales resume, she said.[5]

A South Korean officer conducts inspection of the packs of imported U.S. beef at National Veterinary and Quarantine station in Incheon, west of Seoul, South Korea, in this October 30, 2006, file photo.[15] The agreement, announced in the South Korean capital Seoul early Friday, is expected to replace the current SPS standards agreement signed in January 2006, which allowed the United States to ship to South Korea only boneless beef from cattle under 30 months old. "This will be a huge boost to our ranchers and producers who have waited patiently to regain the access to the South Korean beef market that was lost in December 2003," Schwab said.[14] U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., said the United States has been working for nearly five years to reopen the South Korean market to Nebraska's beef producers. "This agreement is a victory for the entire U.S. beef industry," Hagel said.[7] '''The agreement to reopen the South Korean market to U.S. beef will help further our trade goals.'''[17] U.S. and South Korean negotiators in Seoul worked out a deal on beef trade that will eventually bring a nearly complete reopening of the South Korean market to U.S. beef.[39] The long-running trade spat has not only been a frustration to the U.S. beef industry but has blocked serious debate about the lucrative trade deal, which was clinched over a year ago and must still be approved by Congress. Early Friday morning, Seoul officially announced it would gradually open its market to U.S. beef imports as Washington intensifies safety standards.[31] The Lee administration and his conservative Grand National Party hope parliament will ratify the trade deal in a session that runs for about a month from April 25, a GNP official said. A deal with Seoul is important for Washington, which could use it as leverage to boost its trade with Japan and China and help rebuild its beef trade in Asia, the destination for about 55 percent of all U.S. beef exports in 2003.[25]

Some are hopeful the agreement will set the stage for Japan -- which has tough restrictions on U.S. beef trade -- to consider returning to trade prior to the mad-cow concerns. "The hope is that with Korea's conditional approval of accepting beef from cattle of all ages. that Japan will look again at its age restrictions and at the very least relax it," said Steve Kay, publisher of Cattle Buyer's Weekly, a trade magazine.[36] U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab announced Friday the two countries reached an agreement to re-open to U.S. beef with some initial limitations: Restricting trade to meat from cattle less than 30 months of age, which are said to be at less of a risk of developing mad-cow disease.[36]

U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said the deal, consistent with World Animal Health Organization scientific guidelines, would allow trade in beef from cattle of all ages, including bone-in product.[30]

Citing Agriculture Ministry spokesman Kim Hyun-soo, Yonhap said that South Korea may have decided to relax quarantine regulations and allow the import of rib bones and beef from all ages - but in return push Washington for improved safety standards by toughening animal feed regulations.[21] South Korea, once one of the largest markets for American beef, had banned beef imports from the United States in 2003 after a case of mad cow disease was discovered in the the state of Washington.[38] South Korea suspended American beef imports six months ago, after a shipment from the states contained parts banned, over mad cow concerns.[44]

South Korea had been the U.S.'s third-largest beef buyer before it suspended imports in 2003 over mad cow disease concerns.[45] For the first time in five years, South Korea will import U-S beef. Why'd they stop? Concerns over mad cow disease. The deal was announced, this morning.[46]

Seoul was once the third-largest import market for U.S. beef, but it now will allow only U.S. boneless beef from cattle younger than 30 months, citing a case of mad cow disease in the United States more than four years ago. (c) Reuters 2008.[47] Beef imports were halted again last October, after a shipment was found to contain animal parts banned due to concern over so-called "mad cow disease." Seoul first closed its door to U.S. beef imports in December 2003 after a single case of the disease was discovered in America.[19] The announcement came after days of negotiations in Seoul aimed at resuming regular U.S. beef shipments for the first time since mad cow disease was discovered here in 2003.[31]

April 18, 2008 -- SEOUL, South Korea -- Resumption of U.S. beef shipments to South Korea could come as early as next month, opening a crucial Asian market for American producers including Greeley-based JBS Swift Co.[23] South Korea began resuming imports of boneless U.S. beef last April, then re-imposed the complete ban after bones were found in several shipments.[2] South Dakota's congressional delegation welcomed word on Friday that South Korea's ban on U.S. beef imports has been lifted.[16]

South Korea has agreed to resume U.S. beef imports, according to a news report.[15] Friday, South Korea's Agricultural Ministry announced it had agreed to resume imports of U.S. beef.[19]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Wyoming's two U.S. senators say they applaud the decision by South Korea to resume U.S. beef imports.[48] U.S. beef made up more than two-thirds of South Korea's beef imports before the embargo.[29] Australian beef now accounts for nearly three-quarters of imports in South Korea after overtaking U.S. beef as No. 1 in 2004.[25]

South Korea's food service industry is geared toward selling U.S. beef and the Korean currency - the won - is strong against the weak U.S. dollar, making U.S. beef a good value.[22] The closure of South Korean markets, as well as Japanese markets, in December 2003 contributed to a massive downhill slide in profits at JBS Swift, formerly Swift & Co., and other major U.S. meatpackers. "South Korea was a major JBS Swift & Co. export beef destination and the largest export growth market in 2003, and as the market reopens to U.S. beef, we look to continue these trends in the future," said Tamara Smid, spokeswoman for JBS Swift & Co.[36] The South Korean agriculture ministry said Thursday the two nations had struck a deal which would open the Korean market wider to U.S. beef imports.[34] WASHINGTON (Thomson Financial) - Negotiations are still underway to open up the South Korean market to American beef imports, the United States said following reports from Seoul that a deal has been reached.[34] Spicer did not give details but Dennis Wilder, the White House national security director for Asian affairs, said the United States was 'extremely hopeful' the market would be opened to American beef during the current visit of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to Washington.[34] The beef issue has been a major irritant in relations between the allies, and threatened prospects for approving a wider free-trade agreement _ one of the main agenda items at a summit starting Friday in Washington between South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and President Bush.[49] A free-trade agreement will top the agenda Friday and Saturday when President Bush and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak hold their first summit.[19]

South Korean tariffs on autos and auto parts account for much of the U.S. trade deficit with South Korea, said Thea Lee, AFL-CIO policy director. Eliminating both U.S. and South Korean tariffs, she said, would hurt American workers because the Asian nation maintains many non-tariff barriers. [42] In 2006 for example, Korean manufacturers exported 700,000 vehicles to the U.S. market while only 4,000 vehicles were exported from the United States to South Korea, Congressional aides said. They also cite an 11-billion-dollar U.S. deficit in automobile trade with South Korea in the same year -- 82 percent of the total U.S. bilateral trade deficit.[3] "Our concern is that the free-trade agreement would simply exacerbate the already lopsided trade relationship," Lee said. "That's certainly not good for American jobs." The United States exported $34.7 billion in goods last year to South Korea, its seventh-largest foreign customer.[42] An agreement between the United States and South Korea on beef trade is a "huge victory for Nebraska cattlemen," said Keith Olsen, Nebraska Farm Bureau president.[7] In the Congress, Democrats have the South Korea agreement queued up behind trade pacts with Colombia and Panama. This pending deal with the United States' seventh-largest trading partner must not be stalled or held hostage by the emotions and arm-waving that impede the others.[41] The South Korea deal would be the largest U.S. bilateral trade agreement since NAFTA in 1994.[42]

Full market access will hinge on the allies' agreement for the U.S. government to strengthen controls on protein-based feed to reduce the chances of BSE infection. Kay said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October 2005 proposed a restriction of specified risk materials used in cattle feed, feared to cause BSE. This proposed ruling has languished since that time. He said the pressure now is for the FDA to finalize that ruling because full access to South Korea's lucrative beef market hangs in the balance. On Friday, Tyson Foods announced the closure of its York, Neb., prepared foods facility, eliminating 110 jobs by mid June. The company said it will move the production to its Emporia, Kan., facility in an effort to consolidate and improve operating efficiencies.[22] Just hours away from the summit, the U.S. and South Korea managed to reach an agreement concerning the beef market.[40]

News reports coming out of Seoul, South Korea late Thursday say South Korea has agreed to resume accepting American beef imports. Yonhap News Agency says both sides are drafting an agreement, with details to be announced on Friday.[44] South Korea agreed to accept beef imports from the U.S. under the condition of raising safety standards. Negotiators on both sides agreed that certain import sanitation rules must be rewritten in order to be sure that quality will not be an issue for future shipments.[40] South Korea's chief negotiator Min Dong-seok said the U.S. had agreed to press for the feed measures, adding that resolving the beef issue would help strengthen ties between the two countries.[15]

Cattle in Chicago rose to a six-week high on the outlook for greater demand from South Korea, once the third-biggest buyer of U.S. beef.[5] "This is great news for cattle producers across the country," said Sen. John Thune, a Republican. "The beef that is produced by the hard working men and women of the U.S. cattle industry is some of the safest in the world, according to the World Organization for Animal Health, and South Korea is long overdue in ending these unnecessary restrictions."[16] South Korea will allow beef from older cattle after the U.S. strengthens controls on feed to reduce chances of infection.[26]

After the ban on U.S. beef, sales of Australian beef in South Korea more than doubled to 148,000 metric tons in 2007 from 64,000 metric tons in 2003.[25] U.S. beef is expected to be on store shelves here in South Korea within one or two months.[2]

In 2003, the United States exported 543.6 million pounds of beef and beef variety meats to South Korea, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics.[24] An attempt to resume trades started in April 2007, when South Korea allowed the United States to ship transports of boneless beef from young animals.[40] 'The United States has continually exceeded World Trade Organization standards for a BSE-controlled risk country. This move by Korea is a step in the right direction to once again provide their people with safe, affordable, high-quality U.S. beef,' said TSCRA Marketing Committee Chairman John Welch of Lubbock.[8]

Aside from trade, U.S. and South Korean officials are expected to discuss the six-party process to scrap North Korea's nuclear weapons. They will also discuss the U.S. military presence in South Korea and the process of transferring more control over security to the South Koreans. Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.[19] "There are lots of complications for Korea because of what happened with Colombia,'' said Jeffrey Schott, a former U.S. trade negotiator and fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington. Ford Motor Co., unions and Democrats, including both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, all say the accord must be reworked to address what they call South Korea's barriers to U.S. manufactured goods. "I understand there are foreign policy considerations, but this is too important for us,'' Stephen Biegun, vice president for government affairs at Ford said in an interview earlier this month. "We don't see any sign that they are ready to change.'' Levin, who represents autoworkers in suburban Detroit, said the accord will need to be changed to address what he calls South Korea's non-tariff barriers to U.S. manufactured goods, especially autos.[18] The Washington Post reported Friday that Lee will propose creating a permanent high-level diplomatic channel between the North and South, including establishing the first liaison offices in the nations' capitals after nearly six decades of division. Lee embraced the recent U.S. proposal to have North Korea "acknowledge" U.S. concerns and evidence about its apparent efforts to enrich uranium and its suspected nuclear trading with Syria, rather than provide its own dossier on such activities, the Post said. Lee said the solution would offer North Korea "an indirect way to being involved in these two activities," therefore allowing the stalled negotiations to move forward. Lee, seen at left shaking hands with the U.S. ambassador in December 2007, is a former construction chief executive nicknamed "The Bulldozer" for his determination to get things done. He has ended a decade of liberal rule in which South Korea sought to embrace the North and refrained from criticism. The relief in Washington has been evident in the Bush administration's praise of Lee's insistence that the North follow through on nuclear pledges before receiving aid from its southern neighbor and rival.[10]

Limited imports resumed last April, but were again suspended in October when a shipment contained banned parts. Congressman Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, says South Korea could grow to mean a $1 billion in annual sales for the U.S. He says with farmers struggling with higher costs for gas and corn, any new market is great news to put money in their pockets. Plus, he says, it will mean a boost for the Kansas economy. Moran says it's hoped South Korea's decision could convince Japan to resume imports.[45] The U.S. is South Korea's second-largest export market behind China, with shipments totaling $45.8 billion in 2007.[5] 'Our industry has lost between $3.5 billion and $4 billion in beef exports to South Korea since the end of 2003.[24]

Beef expert Steve Kay, who publishes Cattle Buyers Weekly, said the news is a step in the right direction but expects beef products will not start to flow freely before mid-June; which means profit gains for beef packers won't come until the second half of the year. He also said Australian beef has been gaining marketshare in South Korea during the past four years while the U.S has been absent. "Australian packers have refined and tailored products specifically for end users in South Korea, and will surely put up a fight to keep those customers," Kay said.[22] The Japanese market was partially reopened, and the South Korean market was as well in January 2006, but only for cattle less than 30 months of age - animals that are less vulnerable to mad cow disease. On Oct. 5, 2007, South Korea closed its market again after a portion of an animal's spine was found in product shipped to South Korea.[4]

The South Korean Agriculture Ministry said Friday that Seoul would allow American beef imports from cattle younger than 30 months, including cuts with bones.[26]

During the past 52 weeks, the share price has ranged from a 24.32 high to a 12.81 low. "We're thankful for the efforts of the U.S. government to reach this agreement and are anxious to resume serving our South Korean customers. We're also hopeful this will lead to the full reopening of other Asian markets for the U.S. beef industry," said Gary Mickelson, company spokesman.[22] Their response underscores the rough road ahead for the pact in Congress, despite the agreement on beef announced Friday that was hailed as a breakthrough by U.S. and South Korean officials.[50]

Some have said that losing the South Korean market meant a loss of up to $4 billion since the 2003 mad-cow scare that closed most Asian doors to U.S. beef.[36] Media campaigns sponsored by South Korean beef producers have implied for years that U.S. beef is dangerous.[2]

The re-opening of the lucrative South Korean beef market is worth an estimated 1.50 to 2 per share to Springdale-based Tyson Foods, according to Stephens Inc. analyst Farha Aslam, who said U.S. cattlemen will also benefit. The long term impact could equal between 35 and 60 per head of cattle to be shared by U.S. cattlemen and packers, J.P. Morgan analyst Pablo Zuanic, noted Friday. (Both Stephens Inc. and J.P. Morgan perform investment banking services for Tyson Foods and is compensated accordingly.)[22]

Countries that remain closed to U.S. beef include Argentina, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, China (including Macau, a special administrative region of China), Croatia, Fiji, Israel, Kenya, South Africa, Turkey, Uruguay and Venezuela. The beef industry has long complained about the closed markets, but Kay, of Cattle Buyers Weekly, said he thought there has been some "naivete on the part of those who thought that other countries should count on our products as perfectly safe and take our word for it." He added, "One of the lessons in market closures is the steps that industry and government need to take to show precisely what it is that this country is doing in every aspect of the business to guarantee safety of product.[4] Olsen said the agreement, which was announced on Friday, provides an opportunity to sell Nebraska and U.S. beef in what was once that state's third-largest export market. "This news could not have come at a better time, given that many cattle feeders are currently suffering huge losses," he said.[7] To see all the details of the agreement to lift the ban of U.S. beef to Korea, go to www.ustr.gov and download the fact sheet under the Top News tab.[36]

"A last-minute, unenforceable, untested agreement on beef is not enough to satisfy Congress," said Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., in a Friday press release. "The problem with this FTA has always been broader than beef - it is the agreement's basic acquiescence to Korea's one-way street in manufacturing trade that is also unacceptable," Levin said. House Democratic leaders have made clear since the trade deal was signed last June that they expect improvements to the agreement's auto provisions before Congress will ratify it. "Both beef and autos were issues that everyone knew would have to be dealt with. We have to resolve them before the agreement can be submitted to Congress, " said Brendan Daly, a spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Friday.[50] "A last-minute, unenforceable, untested agreement on beef is not enough to satisfy Congress," said Michigan House of Representatives lawmaker Sander Levin, who heads a powerful trade group of the House Ways and Means committee. "The problem with this FTA has always been broader than beef -- it is the agreement's basic acquiescence to Korea's one-way street in manufacturing trade that is also unacceptable," he said, singling out autos.[3]

"A last minute, unenforceable, untested agreement on beef is not enough to satisfy Congress,'' U.S. Representative Sander Levin, the chairman of the House Trade Subcommittee, said in a statement. "The problem with this FTA has always been broader than beef.''[18]

The beef issue is a major irritant in trade ties. U.S. legislators have warned they will not approve a separate wide-ranging free trade agreement (FTA) unless it is settled.[34] The trade deal, the biggest for the U.S. since the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, was signed last June and must be approved by Congress.[43] The pessimism in Congress blunts renewed hopes of the Bush administration to have swift Congressional passage for the US-South Korea free trade deal -- the biggest trade agreement in 15 years.[3]

There are other obstacles. Even if both the administration and Congress want to work together to bring the accord up for a vote, it would be logistically difficult to get the legislation written, submitted and voted on before Congress breaks for the year, probably in September. After President George W. Bush tried earlier this month to force a vote on a trade agreement with Colombia, the U.S. House of Representatives took the unprecedented step of stripping out a 90-day deadline to hold the vote, effectively putting off consideration of the accord until after the November elections.[18] Schwab said that the Bush administration will now work in earnest with Congress and the U.S. agriculture, manufacturing and services sector to pass a U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement.[4]

"What it does is it gets us back in the game," said Myron Brilliant, president of the U.S.-Korea Business Council. "It allows the business community to go up to Capitol Hill and say 'we've got this beef issue behind us and we want you to pay a lot more attention to what's in this free trade agreement.'" "Time will tell whether the politics will allow us to get it taken up this year.[6] Myron Brilliant, president of the U.S.-Korea Business Council, in an interview acknowledged that the agreement on beef doesn't solve all of the trade pact's problems. It at least allows supporters to start the conversation with lawmakers, he said.[50]

"Resumption of trade is a long overdue but very welcome development," American Meat Institute President J. Patrick Boyle said in a statement. Lee told U.S. lawmakers on Thursday he hoped negotiators could resolve the long-running tussle over beef while he was in Washington, a U.S. lawmaker said.[25] President Bush in Washington. Negotiators on both sides have "agreed to rewrite import sanitation rules for U.S. beef," according to the Yonhap news agency.[28] Imports for the younger cattle will probably resume after mid-May, it said. Baucus reiterated today that he won't move the accord until "all cuts of U.S. beef from cattle of all ages is on Korean store shelves,'' his office said today.[18] Friday's deal sets up a framework for the gradual but complete resumption of U.S. beef imports, from cattle of any age.[2] Japan currently imports U.S. beef from cattle 20 months or younger, while Taiwan imports boneless beef from cattle under 30 months of age.[25]

The lucrative trade tanked in 2003 when Seoul, spooked by the disease in America, suspended most U.S. beef imports.[42] Several key lawmakers remained sceptical. Max Baucus, the Democrat who chairs the Senate finance committee which oversees U.S. trade policy, welcomed the deal on beef, but said "the proof is in the porterhouse", and insisted he wanted to see U.S. beef on Korean shelves.[35]

NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud said considering Korea 's appetite for beef and the decline in the value of the U.S. dollar, the Korean market is potentially a $1 billion market for U.S. beef.[30] If all goes well, a full range of U.S. beef boneless and bone-in, from animals of any age, would be shipped to a market estimated to be worth up to $1 billion a year.[31] Initially, the protocol will allow for the shipment of all U.S. beef products boneless and bone-in beef, as well as variety meats from animals younger than 30 months.[7] U.S. beef imports have been suspended on several occasions after banned material was discovered in shipments, and Seoul finally halted all U.S. beef imports in October.[21]

South Korea announced Friday it will be opening up its doors again to import beef from the United States. [33] South Korea had subsequently eased regulations in 2006 to allow imports of boneless beef from some cattle.[38] A key sticking point in the latest round of negotiations in Seoul has been South Korea's insistence that bone-in beef can only come from cattle under 30 months.[25]

Local beef accounts for about 40 percent of consumption in South Korea, leaving the rest to be filled by imports.[27] South Korea's chief negotiator Min Dong-seok said that by resolving the beef issue, the ties between the two countries will surely be strengthened. He also said: "The beef issue has been a factor that caused distrust between South Korea and the U.S," as quoted by the Associated Press.[40] Before the mad-cow scare, Chris Bartels recalls stuffing loads of fresh beef worth $175,000 into Portland cargo jets bound for South Korea.[42] In 2006, U.S. life- insurance companies enjoyed premium sales of $20 billion in South Korea.[37] South Korea spent $1.3 billion on Oregon goods, mostly high-tech and agricultural products.[42]

The agreement coincided with a visit to Washington by Lee Myung-bak, South Korea's new president.[35] Clinton, in a response to questions from the Pennsylvania Fair Trade Coalition, said the agreement with South Korea "will cost America jobs.''[18] Once KORUS is approved, more growth can and will follow. South Korea's commitment to reforming its financial-services sector will help establish the country as a regional financial center, adding both economic and political balance in the Pacific Rim. Other large economies, including China, are working aggressively to expand trade partnerships with South Korea and other countries in the region.[37] Building better trade relations with South Korea reinforces our partnership with a valued ally and a growing economic power in Asia.[41]

The decision also removes a major obstacle to congressional action on a sweeping trade pact with South Korea, Oregon's fourth-largest foreign customer. "I wouldn't mind doing business with them again," Bartels said Friday.[42]

South Korea represented 15 percent of the company's international beef sales, or about 330 million annually, prior the bans.[22] Proponents cringed last week when House Democrats blocked action on a smaller proposed deal with Colombia, amid election-year misgivings on globalization. Seoul's refusal to relax its beef ban also had irked Congress. About 40 businesspeople interested in South Korean opportunities gathered Thursday at a Portland seminar, where an official from the federal agency that negotiated the proposed pact described its benefits.[42] South Korean officials have publicly announced details of a deal to resume imports of United States beef.[2] Eating meat from infected animals is also believed to be linked to the rare but fatal brain-wasting human variant, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. South Korean farmers have vigorously opposed the free-trade deal with the U.S., fearing cheaper imports will threaten their livelihoods.[15]

The deal came just a few hours before South Korean President Lee Myung-bak arrived at the Camp David presidential retreat for talks on trade and security over the next day.[31] The announcement came during an official visit to Washington, D.C., by new South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.[30] The announcement came, conveniently, while South Korean President Lee Myung Bak was in Washington and just hours before he was set to meet with President Bush.[12] President Lee Myung-bak is the first South Korean leader to visit Camp David and he comes bearing a valuable gift to celebrate today's historic meeting with President George W. Bush.[41]

The addition of the South Korean market, while important, isn't completely imperative. "JBS is looking at a long-term strategy of having production platforms in all the major beef producing places in the world, whether its Korea or other Asian markets, Russia or anywhere else," Kay said. [36] In 2006, South Korean officials allowed limited imports of boneless beef from some cattle.[23] South Korean consume an average of 7.5 kg (16.53 lb) of beef a year, according to agriculture ministry data.[27]

"Safe, affordable, high-quality American beef will soon be back on Korean tables,'' U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said.[5] In a new release welcoming Friday's deal, the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea predicted the "U.S. agriculture industry and U.S. business community will now come out in full force" behind the free trade pact.[2] The deal is seen as Seoul's concession to the United States, to speed up U.S. ratification of a broader free trade deal struck last year.[44] The office of the U.S. trade representative said "the major obstacle" had been removed from the path of the bilateral trade deal, which was agreed last June but has failed to garner broad support in Congress.[35]

The Administration will now work in earnest with Congress and the U.S. agriculture, manufacturing, and services sectors to pass" the agreement, said U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab.[12] Christina Sevilla, deputy assistant U.S. trade representative, said nearly 95 percent of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products would become duty-free within three years of the agreement's approval.[42]

Under the trade agreement, South Korean-made cars, now subject to a 2.5% U.S. tariff, would gain duty-free treatment immediately.[50] Restricted imports resumed last April, but have been on hold since October when a shipment contained animal parts that have been banned over mad cow fears. Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said he was encouraged by the trade agreement.[26] Imports have been on hold since October when a U.S. shipment was found to contain animal parts that had been banned over mad cow concerns.[20] Restricted imports resumed last April, but have been on hold since October when a shipment contained animal parts that have been banned over mad cow concerns. Closer Ties To Seoul : Oberlin's praise was indicative of the mood of hope in both capitals about increasing cooperation between the countries.[10]

Younger cows are believed to be less at risk for the disease. The ministry also said that Seoul would completely lift its age limit on imported beef in accordance with the standards of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), after the U.S. applies stricter rules on the use of animal feed.[29] Yonhap said Seoul has agreed to relax quarantine regulations to allow imports of rib bones and beef of all ages. It was not clear if Seoul would allow imports of other previously banned parts, such as spinal columns, skulls and intestinal parts believed at risk of carrying the brain-wasting disease that may pose a danger to humans.[10]

Since May 2007, the U.S. has been classified as a 'controlled risk nation' with regard to mad-cow disease. This classification technically allows U.S. meat exporters to export beef with almost no restrictions.[29] Democratic Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin also called the development welcome but overdue. "Renewed access to what was once the third-largest export market for U.S. beef and beef products is the right decision, and it represents an important economic victory for our domestic producers," she said.[16]

Lee met yesterday with U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, who pressed the Korean president to fully reopen the market to U.S. beef. 'This is a major breakthrough for U.S. beef producers," said KLA President Tracy Brunner of Ramona.[30] Politics also could come into play -- and work against U.S. beef trade, Koontz said.[36] U.S. officials say U.S. beef is safe - an assertion effectively backed last year by the United Nations World Organization for Animal Health.[2] The U.S. has countered by saying that American beef has been certified as safe by the World Organization for Animal Health.[21] Washington has also argued that American beef has been certified as safe by the Paris-based World Organization for Animal Health.[20]

South Korea announced on Friday that it had agreed to resume the imports just hours before leaders of the two countries were to meet in Washington. [48] South Korea resumed imports for several months last last year, but then re-imposed the ban after bones were found in several shipments.[19]

"The beef issue has been a factor that caused distrust between South Korea and the U.S," Min told reporters.[15] The ministry says South Korea has some of the highest prices in the developed world for beef.[27]

KORUS establishes a more open and transparent insurance rulemaking process in South Korea, including notice and comment periods. This vital due process protection will also help assure fairness for U.S. insurers in a major global market.[37] "We are working on fine-tuning details and an official announcement will be made at 6 p.m. (5 a.m. EDT)," a farm ministry statement said. It was not clear whether South Korea had accepted U.S. demands that it completely open up its market or whether it would maintain some restrictions.[25]

Lee brought a new conservative government to power at South Korea's presidential residence, the Blue House. Earlier this month, his party secured a working majority in the National Assembly.[41] Now Bartels, owner of Eugene-based Bartels Packing, anticipates new opportunities and higher prices after South Korea's announcement Friday that the ban would end.[42]

South Korea's Agriculture Ministry said Friday that revived imports were expected to begin in mid-May and expand in stages.[15] Himeda didn't expect South Korea's decision to revise import conditions to have a direct impact on Japan-U.S. talks.[5]

South Korea is our seventh-largest trading partner, with a $1 trillion economy.[13] All providers of insurance in South Korea will be subject to the same set of regulations.[37] South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson calls South Korea "an important market for the United States." Nebraska's Ben Nelson is skeptical. saying, "we've been down this road before."[46] A decision in South Korea could mean big bucks for Kansas farmers and ranchers.[45]

Seoul also agreed to scale back measures that Washington charged are trade barriers, like a tax based on engine size. Automakers charge that those measures fall short of ensuring entry for US-made autos into the South Korean market. [3] The South Korean government eased the ban in 2006 but allows only meat from cattle aged 30 months or less, and excludes bones and other materials deemed to carry a risk of spreading the disease.[34] Looking specifically at the life-insurance industry, KORUS will make it easier for American companies to introduce new and innovative life insurance and retirement security products to South Korean consumers.[37]

House Ag Committee Ranking Republican Bob Goodlatte issued a statement filled with similar sentiments. Goodlatte also emphasized the importance of the beef agreement in promoting the pending U.S.-Korea FTA. '''This will provide new momentum for a free-trade agreement with the Korean government,''' the Goodlatte statement said.[17] "A last minute, unenforceable, untested, agreement on beef is not enough to satisfy Congress,'' Michigan Democrat Sander Levin, the chairman of the House Trade Subcommittee, said in a statement. "The problem with this FTA has always been broader than beef.''[43] Sander Levin, chairman of the House ways and means trade sub-committee, said: "A last-minute, unenforce''able, untested agreement on beef is not enough to satisfy Congress. The problem with this has always been broader than beef."[35]

Trade lobbyists say that the Korea free trade agreement doesn't stand a chance if congressional Democrats defeat the Colombia free trade agreement, which is currently caught in a stand-off between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the White House. Even if Colombia somehow passes, many lawmakers - backed by unions - dislike the agreement's auto provisions and say they want more concessions in that area before they'll consider the pact.[12]

The U.S. auto sector continues to shrink amid a slowing economy and as free trade becomes less and less popular ahead of presidential and Congressional elections in November. Both Democrats in the presidential race, senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, are against the US-South Korean deal, unhappy particularly with the auto provisions.[3] Under the terms of the KORUS FTA, nearly 95 percent of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products will become duty-free within three years of entry into force, while two-thirds of U.S. agricultural products will become duty free immediately.[13] Trade usually turns out to be a win-win." "With its extensive production base in the U.S., JBS has ample possibility of serving this market," reported Sergio Longo in the statement. "This market has strategic importance due to the range of products it imports, such as bone-in neck and bone-in ribs, items which add value and margins to the U.S. operation."[36]

Beef from older cattle will also be cleared for imports after the U.S. strengthens controls on feed to reduce chances of infection, the ministry said. [15] Beef from cattle older than 30 months can come in once U.S. safety standards are improved.[1]

The losses from the Japanese market have been enormous: In 2003, the U.S. exported 376,000 metric tons of beef to Japan valued at $1.394 billion, and last year the figures were 44,718 metric tons and $230 million, said Kay.[4] U.S. beef producers have described the ban as a thinly-veiled form of protectionism, by a nation that was once the world's third largest importer of U.S. beef.[2] Consumer confidence likely won't be a problem in accepting U.S. beef, Koontz said, but relationships have been cut off for some time.[36] Japan had been the top U.S. beef customer. Another item that could help farmers remains in limbo.[45] Currently, only boneless U.S. beef is allowed to be imported into the country.[33]

"You'll see some very cheap U.S. frozen beef around the market for a month," Glen Feast, local manager for Australian meat industry marketing body Meat & Livestock Australia, told Reuters.[25]

The North Asian nation announced early today in Seoul that it will first allow bone-in cuts from animals younger than 30 months, and later raise the age limit if the U.S. tightens controls on feed.[18] The North Asian nation will first allow bone-in cuts from animals younger than 30 months, and later raise the age limit if the U.S. tightens controls on feed, the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said in an e-mailed statement today.[5]

Now, however, Lee's position on North Korea may turn out to be even tougher than Mr. Bush's as the United States presses hard for an agreement. The highlight of Lee's Washington visit will come when he is feted at the Camp David presidential retreat in mountains north of the capital. Jack Pritchard, the State Department's special envoy for North Korea negotiations until 2003, said at a recent conference that the Camp David invitation is an "extraordinary symbolic gesture and a guarantee of success of the summit, even if they just showed up and shook hands." [10] With the export beef deal in hand, Bush planned to serve Lee roasted beef tenderloin for dinner.[31] "President Lee has earned a better chance of urging the U.S. Congress to approve the deal,'' Cheong In Kyo, an economics professor at Inha University in Incheon, said by phone today.[5] Relations between the White House and Congress on trade issues have soured in recent weeks. George W.?Bush took the unprecedented step this month of submitting a trade deal with Colombia to Congress for ratification without the Democratic leadership's consent.[35] Seizing on the breakthrough, the White House vowed to press anew for action on the landmark trade deal.[9] Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker, responded with a rule change that, in effect, halts the 90-day timetable for consideration of trade deals ''' itself an unprecedented move.[35] In an extraordinary procedural move by Pelosi, the House voted last week to ignore deadlines to fast-track legislation and to postpone a vote on the Colombian trade deal indefinitely.[50]

The issue has been a major source of friction in the two allies' trade relationship, and could have threatened the passage of a sweeping free trade deal.[2] The trade deal, championed by the Bush administration, has been mired on Capitol Hill since it was signed last June.[42]

Korea is "a deal that will cost America jobs,'' Clinton said in a response to questions from the Pennsylvania Fair Trade Coalition, which was made public today.[5] The deal lowers trade barriers on everything from automobiles to financial services, and is expected to fuel a roughly $20 billion increase in commerce between the two countries.[2] The United States is the world leader in trade in services, with exports totaling $340 billion in 2004.America enjoys a $48 billion trade surplus in services.[37]

Beef trade to the country will re-open in May, a move officials at Greeley-based JBS Swift & Co. anticipated just last month when they reported a loss of $101 million in the final weeks of 2007.[36]

The agreement intends to eventually open trade to all ages of cattle, according to a fact sheet from Schwab.[36] The KORUS FTA was signed on June 30, 2007, and fully incorporates the provisions of the May 10, 2007, bipartisan trade agreement reached with Congress, including strong labor and environment protections.[13] The precedent established by KORUS will serve as a model for trade agreements with other growing Asian economies, potentially securing America's role as a major trading partner throughout the vital Pacific Rim.[37] Under the trade agreement, the two countries would lift tariffs on autos and light trucks.[3] Neither national legislative body has endorsed the trade agreement because of a muddle of technical issues and local politics.[41]

"A last-minute, unenforceable, untested, agreement on beef is not enough to satisfy Congress,'' Levin said in a statement. "The problem with this FTA has always been broader than beef.'' Both Democratic candidates for president, Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, reiterated today that they oppose the accord and vowed to renegotiate it if elected president. [5]

"Naturally, we are very pleased and expect to get a very good market for our product. This is good news to us," said Brad Caudill, director of marketing at Harris Ranch Beef. The company's endeavors to export 10 percent of its tonnage but has been running about 5 percent, said Caudill, the loss of Asian markets and price holding down exports.[4] As nation's largest beef processor, Tyson Foods reported beef segment operating income of 572 million generated in the three years prior to the beef bans, and has lost 146 million in the four years following the 2003 beef export bans.[22]

Fiscal Year International Beef Sales 2003 2.2 billion 2004 1.5 billion 2005 1.3 billion 2006 1.6 billion 2007 1.9 billion Source: Tyson Foods Inc. The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsibility of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy.[22]

The South Korean insurance market is the eighth largest in the world with total annual premiums of more than $65 billion.[37] General Motors Corp. (GM), which has a majority stake in South Korean auto maker GM Daewoo, said it is neutral on the deal.[50]

Expectations of a deal also pushed U.S. live cattle futures to a six-week high, with June live cattle closing up 1.000 cent at a six-week high of 92.650 cents per lb.[25]

With Friday'''s new announcement the United Stated agreed to toughen animal feed regulations. Congressman Jerry Moran said this is significant news for the country and the state of Kansas. '''Our cattlemen in Kansas need every market they can get to help compensate for the narrowing of the margins,''' Moran said. '''So this is a significant development for our U.S. economy especially for the Kansas economy. I think about what'''s transpired in Emporia, the terrible loss of the plant and jobs that have gone with that, with Tyson, this is one more way that we can make certain that those jobs are more viable in Kansas because the market returns.'''[33] Eight out of every 10 jobs in the United States are tied to services, and in terms of job creation, service industries provide more new jobs than the rest of the U.S. economy combined.[37]

PORTLAND ''' The Humane Society of the United States has filed a request for an emergency injunction asking a federal appeals court to block the government from killing protected sea lions at Bonneville Dam because of their negative effect on salmon runs. U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman rejected a request for a preliminary injunction on Wednesday even though he said the Humane Society might prevail in court with a lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service and the states of Oregon and Washington.[11]

The two sides are'still negotiating and hoping for a positive outcome,' Sean Spicer, spokesman for U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, told Agence France-Presse Thursday in Washington.[34] U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said the announcement removes "the major obstacle" to Congress taking up the pact.[50]

The U.S. exporters made it a hot button issue for congress, which then demanded that the imports be resumed - or else the FTA would be scrapped. [21]

WASHINGTON (AP) After a dramatic three days in which he put the country's clergy sexual abuse scandal front and center, Pope Benedict XVI turned his attention Friday to the original purpose of his first U.S. visit as leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The pope, after an early morning flight from the nation's capital to New York City, will deliver an address to the General Assembly of the United Nations, taking his first opportunity to truly talk globally. The setting will contrast dramatically with the intimacy of a meeting Thursday, in which he prayed with weeping victims of childhood sexual abuse by priests. When Benedict addresses diplomats from around the world, he'll likely touch on several broad themes, said Jo Renee Formicola, a Seton Hall University political science professor who has studied the papacy and international affairs.[49] WASHINGTON, D.C. The Federal Aviation Administration is going to begin alerting its top headquarters officials when field inspectors miss airline safety inspections, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced Friday. Peters also demanded that the FAA and American Airlines explain to her within 14 days why 250,000 U.S. air travelers endured canceled flights last week. American grounded its MD-80 jetliners and canceled 3,100 flights in order to inspect or redo wiring that was supposed to have been completed between Sept. 5, 2006, and March 5, 2008.[11]

'The two sides agreed on the sanitary and phytosanitary rules for American beef and are currently working out the details,' Kim told Yonhap.[21]

A market survey shows that the price of 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of Korean beef steak sells in local supermarkets for about 6,350 won ($6.35). That is almost 60 percent higher than imported Australian beef.[27] At $500 million in annual sales, Oregon is not a huge beef producer, exporting about $15 million in live animals and red meat.[42] Mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, is believed to be spread when cattle are fed recycled meat and bones from infected animals. It is also linked to the fatal brain-wasting human variant, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.[21] Scientists believe mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, spreads when farmers feed cattle recycled meat and bones from infected animals.[20]

The collaboration between the two countries ended in 2003 after the mad cow disease was reported in the United States.[40]

Restricted imports resumed last April, but have been on hold since October when a shipment contained animal parts that have been banned over mad cow concerns.[49]

Talks between Japan and the U.S. over Japanese restrictions have not made progress since experts from the two governments met in Tokyo in August last year, said Takashi Himeda, director at the animal health division of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. [5] Bush has threatened to veto the House and Senate farm bills, which would cost roughly $280 billion over five years to expand agriculture and nutrition programs. He says they are too expensive and would not sufficiently cut subsidy payments to wealthy farmers in a time of robust farm prices.[11]

Beef from cattle 30 months old or younger will first be imported starting mid-May. [33]

SOURCES

1. South Korea Relaxes U.S. Beef Import Rules - washingtonpost.com
2. VOA News - US, South Korea Remove Trade Obstacle With Beef Deal
3. AFP: US-SKorea free trade pact still in limbo after beef deal
4. South Korea to reopen its market to U.S. beef
5. Bloomberg.com: Asia
6. Beef deal revives hope for U.S.-Korea trade pact | Politics | Reuters
7. State to benefit from reopening of S. Korean beef markets 04/19/08 - Grand Island Independent: News
8. Texas Cattle Raisers Welcome Korea's Decision To Re-Open Market To U.S. Beef
9. Free Preview - WSJ.com
10. S. Korea Opens Back Up To U.S. Beef, Agreement After Mad Cow Scare Indicative Of Changing Mood Between Seoul, Washington - CBS News
11. Nation Briefs: April 18 : National : Ventura County Star
12. South Korea Agrees To Eat U.S. Beef Again, By Victoria McGrane - CBS News
13. U.S. Statement on Beef Export Deal - WSJ.com
14. U.S. welcomes full reopening of South Korean market to American beef_English_Xinhua
15. The Associated Press: Seoul agrees to resume US beef imports
16. S.D. delegation welcomes end of South Korean ban » RapidCityJournal.com
17. Brownfield Network: Most, not all, hail U.S.-South Korea beef deal
18. Bloomberg.com: Economy
19. VOA News - Free Trade Agreement to Top Agenda During US-South Korea Summit
20. The Associated Press: Seoul tentatively agrees to resume US beef imports
21. Report: South Korea To Resume U.S. Beef Imports [] - RTTNews, Today's Top Stories, Global Newswires, ToDay's Top News,Global Business news .
22. The Morning News: Business : Korean Beef Sales Will Boost Tyson Foods' Profits
23. Northern Colorado Business Report - Business News Focused on Northern Colorado
24. USMEF: U.S. Beef Exports To South Korea To Resume Next Month
25. South Korea says agrees on U.S. beef imports - washingtonpost.com
26. IN-FORUM
27. FACTBOX: A look at the South Korean beef market | U.S. | Reuters
28. Report: S. Korea, U.S. reach beef deal - CNN.com
29. South Korea agrees on resumption of US beef imports - Business
30. KLA: U.S. Beef Will Soon Be Headed To Korea
31. U.S. welcomes Korean decision on beef imports | Politics | Reuters
32. Report: S. Korea, U.S. reach beef deal - CNN.com
33. South Korea Beef Imports Could Affect Kansas | KSNT.com - News, Weather, Sports | KSNT Ticker
34. Talks on opening SKorean beef market still underway - U.S. - Forbes.com
35. S Korea to resume US beef imports
36. JBS Swift hopes to move in as South Korea opens doors to U.S. beef | News | The Tribune
37. FORUM: Good news on trade with South Korea - - Breaking News, Political News & National Security News - The Washington Times
38. S. Korea could resume U.S. beef imports as early as May - MarketWatch
39. Your Spot for Futures Trading, Commodities Info, Ag News, Successful Farming Tips More
40. South Korea Opens For U.S. Imports
41. Editorials & Opinion | Korean trade deal works for the state | Seattle Times Newspaper
42. South Korea takes down barrier to U.S. beef- OregonLive.com
43. Bloomberg.com: Economy
44. South Korea to Resume U.S. Beef Imports
45. S. Korea Says Bring on the Beef
46. News::Deal Reached To Resume U.S. Beef Exports To South Korea
47. U.S. hopeful for beef deal with South Korea soon
48. Montana's News Station - Fair. Accurate. To the Point. -Senators hail South Korea's agreement to import US beef
49. Daily Progress, Jacksonville, TX - Nation/World Roundup for April 18
50. US-Korea Pact Still Clouded By Auto Issue, Lawmakers Say

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