Moran Asks for Movement on Opening Korean Markets to U.S. Beef

Moran Asks for Movement on Opening Korean Markets to U.S. Beef

Congressman Jerry Moran has asked incoming House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson to bring together U.S. Department of Agriculture officials and the U.S. Trade Representative to discuss the situation in South Korea and a strategy for reopening the market to U.S. beef.

"Kansans are anxious to know what steps we are taking to reopen the Korean market to U.S. beef products," Moran said. "This has gone on for far too long. We have to close the loopholes that are allowing the Korean government to find ways to keep our products out."

Korea was one of largest importers of U.S. beef prior to the closing of its border in December 2003 when a single case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) was discovered in a Canadian-born dairy cow. In September, the Korean government announced the opening of its market. However, no meaningful trade has resumed as a result of their interpretations of beef health standards. In particular, the Korean governments continued "zero tolerance" treatment of bone fragments has already temporarily suspended shipments from U.S. meat exporters.

Moran is a senior member of the House Committee on Agriculture.

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