03/15/;06 Beef in three countries

U.S. Beef in Three Countries Three countries have just resumed U.S. beef trade. Each has a little different story. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back with some comments. Thailand, Taiwan, and Costa Rica have all resumed importing U.S. beef. Thailand's $2.8 million beef trade has been on hold since an original agreement for trade resumption on October 20, 2005. The problem has been over U.S.-Thailand Free Trade Agreement details, but U.S. beef should move into that country by early March. Costa Rica will allow imports of U.S. boneless beef and specialty meats only if the processing plants used are strictly for beef production from animals less than 30 months of age and do not use imported beef products. Costa Rica is a relatively small market, but is expected to grow larger if free trade agreements are ratified and allow high quality U.S. beef to be imported to supply Costa Rica's growing tourism industry. Taiwan resumed U.S. beef imports in April of 2005 but closed its doors again in June when a case of BSE was confirmed in the U.S. To help secure this new resumption of trade, the U.S. Meat Export Federation is planning several promotions including contests, media broadcasts, and an education program for restaurant and retail store employees so they can answer Taiwan's consumer questions with correct facts. I can only hope the trade with these countries doesn't experience the pitfall seen with Japanese beef trade resumption. I'm Jeff Keane. Western Livestock Reporter 2/22/06