A delegation from China’s food safety agency is coming to the United States to look at American beef production. U.S. Meat Export Federation officials are hoping the trip will lead to China lifting its import ban of U.S. beef that was placed in December of 2003. Federation Chairman and Davenport, Nebraska Rancher Mark Jagels says it’s positive the Chinese are coming to see U.S. beef first hand.
The Chinese delegation will develop a report on their findings after spending two weeks in the United States. Jagels says having them here for that period of time is helpful in our efforts to try and re open that market.
Another important development Monday was the move by Hong Kong to allow the import of the full range of U.S. beef and beef products consistent with access prior to December of 2003. Before this re opening Hong Kong had been taking deboned U.S. beef from cattle ages 30 months or younger.