05/09/07 South Korean replay

South Korea Replay United States beef is headed back to South Korea for another try. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back with some comments. Although it's not an instant replay, U.S. beef is being exported to South Korea to see if this shipment can pass inspections. 14,100 pounds of boneless U.S. beef shipped by Creekstone Farms Premium Beef of Arkansas City, Kansas arrived in South Korea the last week in April. This is the first shipment since late in 2006 when South Korea rejected a U.S. beef shipment because of a bone fragment less than the size of a fingernail. According to media reports the Creekstone shipment could be scrutinized for several days or even weeks. I hope the meat cuts are still in one piece after that much handling to inspect it that thoroughly, after all there is only seven tons of the products to look at. Come to think of it maybe our country should inspect products imported into our borders with the same zeal and thoroughness. A case in point would be the wheat gluten imported from China for use in pet foods. Anyway, if the U.S. beef shipment does pass inspection it will only be enough for samples, not enough to promote large sales of U.S. beef. Maybe that will come later since Congress members say they won't ratify the new free trade agreements with South Korea unless its market is fully reopened to all U.S. beef, bone-in as well as boneless. Hey, this could get interesting. I'm Jeff Keane. Western Livestock Reporter 4/27/07