NATIONAL CATTLEMEN’S BEEF ASSOCIATION STATEMENT ON RESUMPTION OF BEEF TRADE WITH SOUTH KOREA
Andy Groseta, NCBA President

June 26, 2008

 “The cattle producers that make up the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) are excited to once again be providing beef to consumers in Korea. The mutual decision by Korea’s importers and U.S. exporters to limit U.S. beef exports to Korea to beef from cattle under 30 months of age is somewhat disappointing to cattlemen, because all U.S. beef is safe from BSE. This well-established and long-standing safety record is due to interlocking safeguards that protect the health of the U.S. cattle herd, and the safety of the food supply. But we believe this arrangement will help regain the confidence Korean consumers have in the quality and safety of U.S. beef, which is the very same beef we feed to our own families.

 “NCBA is proud of the measures the United States has taken toward control and eradication of BSE, which are the foundation for this nation’s “controlled risk” designation for BSE by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Our members look forward to the day when all trading partners recognize and accept OIE trading guidelines for beef exported by the United States - which include beef from cattle of any age, provided that appropriate specific risk materials are removed. However, the vast majority of U.S. beef enjoyed by Korean consumers has historically been from cattle under 30 months of age. So this age restriction should not significantly reduce the volume of safe and great-tasting U.S. beef available to Korean consumers, and we look forward to regaining their trust and confidence by providing them with a product of the highest quality.”

 Andy Groseta is a rancher from Cottonwood, Arizona, and president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.