22 May 2009
U.S. Trade Representative Underscores Safety of U.S. Meat Exports
Ron Kirk cites trade as “powerful contributor” to economic revival
Washington — Trade, particularly trade in agricultural products, can be a “powerful contributor to the revival of the U.S. and global economies,” according to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk.
In a May 22 speech to the U.S. Meat Export Federation in Washington, Kirk underscored the safety of U.S. meat products and recapped some recent developments in the global marketplace that make it easier for American ranchers and farmers to help feed the families of the world.
In 2008, exports of U.S. beef and beef products were valued at more than $3.6 billion, while U.S. pork and pork variety meat exports totaled more than $4.6 billion, but that trade has been constrained by restrictions that are at odds with scientific data.
A particular concern in recent weeks has been how the outbreak of H1N1 influenza, also known as swine flu, prompted more than a dozen countries to impose trade restrictions on pork products despite the lack of any scientific basis for the bans.
“It is a USTR priority to make certain that meat products aren’t frozen out of international markets due to myths without scientific justification,” Kirk said. “American pork is safe and the world market should remain open to U.S. pork products and live swine.”
On May 2, Kirk said, the World Trade Organization, with the World Health Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization issued a joint statement asserting that pork products handled in accordance with hygienic practices are not a source of H1N1 infection. Kirk described the document as a very strong statement that validated the safety of U.S. pork and told the world market that restricting U.S. pork or any meat products because of the recent outbreak is without scientific justification.
On April 27, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack also addressed concerns about the safety of U.S. pork and pork products, saying, “While there is no evidence at this time that swine has been infected with this virus, the science is clear that consuming or handling pork, consistent with safe handling practices, is of no risk to consumers.” His statement echoed findings by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
BSE AND BEEF PRODUCTS
Another concern for U.S. meat producers — and one with a similar lack of scientific justification — has been closure of markets, particularly those in Asia, to U.S. beef products over fears of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease.
Recurring closures and restrictions, triggered by the 2003 discovery of a BSE-positive cow imported into the United States from Canada, dropped total U.S. beef exports from $4 billion in 2003 to $808 million in 2004.
“But enforcement efforts are making things better,” Kirk said, adding that exports rebounded in 2008 nearly to 2003 levels. More than 60 countries now accept all U.S. beef and beef products consistent with standards set by the OIE, including the 27 European Union countries, according to the USTR, but some issues remain unresolved.
“Too many of our trading partners — especially Japan, Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong — maintain unscientific restrictions on U.S. beef — and on pork as well in Taiwan, which has failed to set a tolerance for ractopamine,” Kirk said.
Ractopamine is an animal feed additive used in extremely low levels to promote leanness in pigs raised for meat. The term “tolerance” refers to the maximum allowable residues in products intended for human consumption. For instance, U.S. tolerances for the substance in pork range from 0.15 parts ractopamine per million parts (ppm) pork in liver to 0.05 ppm in muscle tissue.
PROGRESS IN OTHER AREAS
In his May 22 speech, Kirk also cited some successes, saying a combination of enforcement and diplomacy has helped open new markets and maintained existing ones. Specifically:
• A March 26 agreement with Chile to clarify a grading issue resulted in immediate resumption of exports of certain types of U.S. beef and beef products. American beef shipments to Chile had been halted since September 2008.
• On May 13, the United States and the European Commission signed a memorandum of understanding on beef hormones, substantially resolving a 20-year dispute and expanding access to the European Union market for high-quality beef produced from cattle that have not been treated with growth-promoting hormones. (See “Statement on U.S.-EU Beef Hormone Agreement.”)
Kirk said efforts are ongoing to resolve outstanding issues with Russia, a key market for meat exporters. Russia’s application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures is not based on international standards, but instead is used to control and restrict trade, according to the USTR.
The full text of Kirk's May 22 remarks, as prepared for delivery, is available on America.gov.
