Letter to US Trade Representative Re: Holding South Korea Accountable for American Beef Importation

Letter

Letter to US Trade Representative Re: Holding South Korea Accountable for American Beef Importation

Ambassador Schwab Agrees with Rehberg's Request to Hold South Korea Accountable for American Beef Importation

Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today met with Ambassador Susan Schwab, United States Trade Representative, urging her to hold South Korea accountable for resuming the full importation of American beef. During the meeting, Ambassador Schwab assured Rehberg she would make no attempt to move forward a South Korea Free Trade Agreement until they agreed to reopen their market to U.S. beef products.

"South Korea has given the United States the runaround for too long," said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. "Last year, South Korea reaffirmed that they would renew the importation of American beef once the World Organization of Animal Health classified the U.S. as a "controlled risk" country. However, though the U.S. has been classified as such since May 2006, they continue to make up more excuses to keep our products out. It's time we send a strong, clear message to South Korea that this is unacceptable and I'm glad to see Ambassador Schwab is supportive."

In 2003, South Korea was America's second-largest foreign market for beef, after Japan. South Korea has continued to delay importation by requiring additional tracking requirements and procedures from the U.S.

"Cattle producers in Montana and across the United States meet unrivaled safety standards and are proud of the safety and quality of their product," said Rehberg in a written letter to Ambassador Schwab given to her during the meeting. "I urge you to continue working aggressively with South Korea to resolve this long-running issue and fully open South Korean markets to Montana beef."

Letter:

October 3, 2007

The Honorable Susan Schwab
Ambassador
United States Trade Representative
600 Seventeenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20508

Dear Ambassador Schwab,

As a supporter of free and fair trade, I applaud your efforts to open and expand new markets for Montana products. Montana has some of the highest quality commodities and entrepreneurial ventures in the United States and we welcome the opportunity to compete in the world market.

However, as you are aware, one trade issue of great importance to Montana remains unresolved. Despite the World Organization for Animal Health's (OIE) classification of the United States as a "controlled risk" country, South Korea has yet to resume United States imports of bone-in beef. Instead, South Korea has ignored its commitment to President Bush to resume imports under OIE standards and continues to delay by requiring additional tracking requirements and procedures. This is simply unacceptable.

Cattle producers in Montana and across the United States meet unrivaled safety standards and are proud of the safety and quality of their product. I urge you to continue working aggressively with South Korea to resolve this long-running issue and fully open South Korean markets to Montana beef. If the proposed Free Trade Agreement with South Korea were to be presented to Congress before this issue can be satisfactorily addressed, I will oppose it in any form.

I appreciate your attention to this issue and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Denny Rehberg
Member of Congress

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