US-Hong Kong beef trade to restart quickly

WASHINGTON - The United States expects beef trade with Hong Kong to begin quickly after Hong Kong's decision to partially lift its ban on US beef imports, US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said.

"We are extremely pleased with the reopening of another important market for US beef exports and we anticipate that trade will quickly begin," Johanns said in a statement.

"USDA will continue to focus our efforts on opening additional markets in Asia and around the world by promoting the use of science-based regulations in global beef trade," he said.

Hong Kong said earlier yesterday it had partially lifted its ban on US beef imports, which had been in place since late 2003 on worries about mad cow disease. It cited enhanced control measures in the United States.

"At the initial stage only boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months of age, with high risk materials such as brain and spinal cord removed during slaughtering, can be imported from designated establishments approved by the United States according to an agreed protocol," Hong Kong's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said.

The United States exported US$90 million ($134 million) worth of beef and beef products to Hong Kong in 2003, making it the fifth largest market for US beef products.

Hong Kong's move follows Japan's lifting of its ban on imported US beef on December 12. Japan and dozens of other nations halted all US beef imports after the United States discovered its first case of mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, in December 2003.

After Japan's decision, Johanns said he hoped South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, China and others would follow its example and resume normal trading relationships.

- REUTERS