MikeLigalig.com

By Jose Katigbak
STAR Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — The US Department of Agriculture on Friday applauded the Philippines for opening its markets to US beef and beef products of all ages after receiving clearance from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

“I applaud Philippine Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap for making a decision that is based on sound science and in line with international guidelines,” Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner said in a statement. “The Philippines has set the standard for other Asian nations, and we will continue to press for full market access throughout the Pacific Rim.”

Imports of US beef and beef products to the Philippines were restricted to boneless beef and offal from cattle less than 30 months of age after bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease was detected in the United States in December 2003 in an imported cow from Canada.

The OIE in May 2007 formally classified the United States as a controlled risk country for BSE, in effect confirming US regulatory controls were effective and US beef and beef products of all ages could be safely traded.

According to USDA exports of beef and beef products to the Philippines totaled $4.9 million in 2003 before the market was closed.

US beef exports to the Philippines reached $6.3 million in 2006 when partial market access was achieved. With the lifting of restrictions USDA estimates US beef exports to the Philippines could potentially double in 2008.

The Philippines has fully complied with international trade standards regarding beef and beef products by allowing complete market access for US beef and beef products of all ages, Conner said after meeting Yap.

During his brief visit to Washington, Yap addressed a meeting of the Coral Triangle, a new global initiative to protect a vast area within the Indo-Pacific that contains the richest marine life in the world.

He also met with US Trade Representative Susan Schwab and senior USDA officials.

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