Asia Pacific | U.S. beef market share on the rise in South KoreaSince the U.S...

Asia Pacific

 

U.S. beef market share on the rise in South Korea
Since the U.S. Meat Export Federation opened its Meat Education and Research Center in Seoul in July 2000, the U.S. industry share of South Korea's beef-import market has increased from 56 percent in 2000 to 63 percent in 2002. The MERC has emphasized U.S. chilled beef in its education programs, and U.S. chilled beef exports to South Korea have risen from 5,822 metric tons in 2000 to more than 15,000 metric tons so far in 2002. The U.S. Meat Export Federation is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red-meat industry and is funded by the USDA, exporting companies, and the beef-, pork-, corn-, sorghum- and soybean-checkoff programs.

 

Japan wary of WTO paper on farm trade talks

The Japanese agricultural ministry showed a cautious stance Thursday to an overview paper on farm trade negotiations under the World Trade Organization (WTO) as it runs counter to Japan's high-tariff policy to protect the country's rice market.

 

Americas

 

Sen. Cantwell to head ag delegation at U.S.-Cuba business meeting
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) will lead a delegation of food and agribusiness executives from Washington state and is slated as a featured speaker at the U.S.-Cuba Business Conference being held in Cancun, Mexico, and Havana, Cuba, Feb. 17 to 19, 2003.

 

Europe

 

Meat executives investigated in French probe into mad cow disease
French authorities are investigating two executives from a meat supplier for steak house chain Buffalo Grill on suspicion that they violated a ban on imports of British beef imposed to prevent the spread of mad cow disease, judicial officials said.

 

FRANCE: Buffalo Grill execs arrested over allegations of illegal British beef sales 

Shares in the French restaurant chain Buffalo Grill fell by more than 90% yesterday [Wednesday] following news that four company executives had been arrested on suspicion of illegally serving British beef in their restaurants.

 

USA

 

Couple appeals judges ruling in beef checkoff fee case
A Montana ranching couple on Monday asked a federal appeals court to reconsider a judge's ruling that the national beef checkoff fee is constitutional.

 

U.S. Trade Deficit Declines to $35.1B
The U.S. trade deficit declined to $35.1 billion in October, the best showing since March, but the improvement reflected disruptions caused by the West Coast dock dispute rather than any fundamental improvement in the country's trade performance.