News Update

News Update
Dec. 4, 2006

U.S., Korean Officials Discuss Beef Trade

U.S. and South Korean officials met in Montana today to begin a round of free trade agreement (FTA) talks amid industry unrest over South Korea’s decision to halt meat shipments from some U.S. plants shipping product to the country.

The weeklong talks are the countries’ fifth attempt at a trade agreement, The Korea Times reports.

South Korea banned meat imports from a Kansas processor after a bone fragment was discovered in one of the shipments. Although officials in South Korea say trade will continue for some U.S. plants, officials there are threatening to ban all U.S. beef if materials like brain, spinal cords and nervous system tissues are found, according to Reuters.

Bush Signs Animal Terrorism Law

President Bush signed the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act into law last week, according to Food Systems Insider. The law, passed by the House of Representatives Nov. 13, amends the Animal Enterprise Protection Act of 1992 and makes it a federal crime to damage property, harass or commit violence against companies or persons associated with animal enterprises.

The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) reports the new law closes loopholes that were previously exploited by animal rights extremists. Violators face prison, restitution and fines.

Ag Export Forecast Rises

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) has released its trade outlook for fiscal year (FY) 2007 agricultural exports, forecasting a record $77 billion, up $5 billion from expectations released in August. Corn exports are set at a near-record $8.9 billion, and projected livestock product exports increased $800 million.

E. coli Outbreak in New Jersey

According to The New York Times, 19 people in New Jersey have been sickened by E. coli infections. Although the specific source of infection has not been identified, health officials are investigating a Taco Bell in South Plainfield, N.J. According to the article, most of the affected victims are children.

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