News Update

News Update
March 7, 2006

Malaysia Opens Market to U.S. Beef Products

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that Malaysia will resume imports of U.S. beef and beef products.

“I’m very pleased with the reopening of the Malaysian market to U.S. beef and beef products,” Johanns stated in a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) release. “Today’s announcement is another positive step in our efforts to resume normal U.S. beef trade around the world that follows science-based international guidelines in food and animal safety. We look forward to building on this opening to expand product coverage and exporter eligibility.”

Under the agreement announced today, the United States will be able to export boneless beef from animals harvested at less than 30 months of age. U.S. and Malaysian authorities are working to finalize the remaining documentation details so that shipments can begin in the near future.

In 2003, the United States exported more than $1.9 million worth of beef and beef products to Malaysia. Following the detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in December 2003, Malaysia imposed a ban on all U.S. beef and beef products.

U.S. Beef to Sell In S. Korea by April

U.S. beef will be sold to South Korean consumers beginning in April, The Korea Times reported. According to the article, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said yesterday the earliest consumers would see the beef would be early next month — later than previous projections that the imports would arrive this month.

Wal-Mart to Double Organic Food Offering

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will be doubling its organic offerings during the next couple weeks, a Reuters article reported today. The company’s senior vice president of dry grocery said that although the retailer has no intention of becoming a health food store, it wants to make organic food accessible to all.

Wal-Mart, which draws about 100 million U.S. customers per week, is the No. 1 U.S. grocery seller and already leads the nation in organic milk sales, according to the article. Visit http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060307/us_nm/food_summit_walmart_dc for the complete story.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.