Daily News Update, Feb. 8, 2008

Senators continue call for action on Korean trade

Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) asked U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab to find a way to fully reopen the South Korean market to U.S. beef imports. "It is past time that our trading partners around the world realize that U.S. beef is the safest and of the highest quality in the world," said Brownback. "I will continue fighting for a full resumption of U.S. beef shipments to South Korea."

Brownback's conversation with Schwab comes on the heels of similar communications between Schwab and Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.), who promised to stall the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement in the Finance Committee until Korea lifts the beef ban.

The Senators and industry officials agree that any new protocol conditions with South Korea must result in commercially viable trade, meaning full market access to all U.S. beef (boneless and bone-in) from cattle of all ages based on OIE guidelines. A protocol must also establish criteria to fairly assess U.S. beef imports and to resolve conflicts on a case-by-case basis should they arise.