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HONG KONG — The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) expressed its optimism that similar terms of market access will soon be re-established for the import of U.S. beef into Hong Kong as those accorded on Tuesday to Canadian beef exporters.

“As competitors in the international market, we are obviously disappointed with the commercial implications of the decision, since it clearly provides sales opportunities at the expense of U.S. exporters. On the other hand, and more importantly, we are pleased that following the conclusion of extensive risk-analysis processes, the Hong Kong authorities are allowing imports of some categories of Canadian beef products, which we believe carry similar low-risk levels as U.S. beef,” said Joel Haggard, USMEF Vice President, Asia Pacific.

“U.S. beef is produced under the world’s strictest regulations that exceed standards set by the World Organization for Animal Health. The U.S. government has built five firewalls that effectively prevent any unsafe beef from entering the market. We are hopeful that we can convince the Hong Kong government to grant similar market access to U.S. beef as that accorded Canadian beef,” Haggard said.

Haggard pointed out in a free market like Hong Kong, high-quality U.S. beef is the product of choice for thousands of Hong Kong restaurants, steakhouses and retail outlets. According to Government figures, Hong Kong imported HK$622 million of U.S. beef products in 2003, compared to HK$4.8 million of Canadian beef in the same year.

“The suspension of U.S. beef imports in December 2003 has created difficulties and uncertainties for the local catering industry as well as limiting consumers’ choices. With the one-year anniversary of the U.S. beef import suspension approaching, I hope that remaining technical issues can be resolved shortly so that we can resume exports of high quality safe U.S. beef in the very near future,” said Haggard.

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 USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn, sorghum and soybean checkoff programs.

For media inquires, please contact:
Burson-Marsteller (Hong Kong) Limited
Cecilia So
Tel: 2963 5624
E-mail: cecilia_so@hk.bm.com

– USMEF –