AMI Hopes That Shipment of Beef That Cleared Korea is Sign of New Cooperation on U.S. Beef Imports

Washington, D.C., April 27, 2007 – The American Meat Institute (AMI) today said it hopes that a shipment of U.S. beef that cleared Korean customs is a sign of new cooperation on U.S. beef imports.

“We are pleased to see that the shipment from Kansas-based Creekstone Farms has cleared customs and that Korean consumers can again begin to enjoy U.S. beef,” AMI President and CEO J. Patrick Boyle said. “This is a good development in normalizing our beef trade and we look forward to continued shipments of U.S. beef arriving in the Korean market place.”

The Korean Chief of the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service, Kang Mun-Il announced today that the 6.4 tons of beef shipped by Creekstone Farms last week passed the X-ray examinations and the meat will be released into the market within the next few days, after the Korean government processes the customs clearance and the import duties are paid.

AMI has said that it will support the Free Trade Agreement with Korea after U.S. beef trade is normalized.

“U.S. beef is among the safest and most affordable in the world,” Boyle said. “We believe we have earned Korea’s trust and we hope that Korean consumers will soon have wide access to our products, which offer a delicious and economical choice in the marketplace.”