Harkin: Korea Beef Announcement is Welcome First Step

Statement

Harkin: Korea Beef Announcement is Welcome First Step

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following statement upon learning that the Korean government would reopen their market to beef from six U.S. facilities. Harkin is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

"I'm pleased that the government of Korea is allowing these six beef-packing plants to resume shipping U.S. beef to their country - this is a first, but important step to restoring U.S. access to Korea's beef market.

"Today's announcement stopped short, however, of allowing access for bone-in beef cuts, such as T-bone steaks and beef ribs, for U.S. exporters. This is particularly disappointing since the OIE classified the U.S. as a nation at controlled risk for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) last month. To be sure, there have been infractions in some of our exports, but USDA is investigating the cause of these incidents to prevent them from being repeated.

"It is essential that the issue of full access for U.S. beef be resolved before the U.S. Congress will be willing to consider legislation implementing the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. Today's decision suggests that the message from Congress is getting through."

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