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USDA
is continuing to encourage governments to resume imports
of U.S. beef products. Most markets were closed to U.S.
beef in December 2003 when the United States confirmed its
first -- and only – case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
According
to the American Meat Institute, Washington, D.C., Egyptian
officials have promised to sign a decree to allow the United
States to export boneless beef from animals younger than
30 months of age. USDA is preparing a beef export verification
that will ensure that Canadian beef is not shipped or commingled
with U.S. beef. The market is expected to open in the near
future. Egyptian imports of U.S. beef and beef product totaled
$2.2 million in 2003, AMI said.
”A
Taiwanese interagency committee approved U.S. beef exports
and will go to the executive yuan for final approval by
the end of the month,” AMI added. Upon approval, USDA will
need to finalize the exact terms of trade. U.S. beef and
beef product exports to Taiwan totaled $8 million in 2003.
AMI
said USDA and the Food and Drug Administration had a video
conference with Hong Kong officials last week to discuss
opening the border to U.S. beef. Two issues of concern surfaced:
Hong Kong wants more stringent measures for specified risk
material removal and they want an animal identification
system similar to Canada's. USDA and FDA are addressing
those concerns, AMI pointed out In 2003, Hong Kong represented
$9.8 million worth of beef.
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