By Agri-Pulse staff
© Copyright Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc.
WASHINGTON, May 4, 2011-USDA has awarded an additional $1 million of FY2011 Market Access Program (MAP) funds to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) to augment their ongoing beef promotion in South Korea.
In a statement released Wednesday morning, USDA officials said they also welcomes the announcement by USMEF of a 5-year, $10 million initiative to regain and expand U.S. beef markets in Korea. USMEF's initiative will include the promotion of science-based decision making, the adoption of international standards to facilitate trade, and efforts to inform consumers of the safety and quality of U.S. beef.
"We are pleased to partner with USMEF to promote U.S. meat exports globally, and share their desire to take advantage of new market access under the U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "U.S. beef exports to Korea increased 140 percent in 2010, but still remain below 2003 levels when Korea was our third-largest beef market. USMEF's long-term focus on Korea will help restore U.S. market share."
USMEF indicated it will seek an additional $10 million from USDA to promote beef trade in South Korea through USDA's Unified Export Strategy (UES) market development application to implement the strategic plan. USDA looks forward to receiving USMEF's application. USDA will give favorable review to USMEF and all other UES applications that demonstrate a well-defined strategy, a focus on new market opportunities, industry commitment through matching funds, and a good record of past performance. USDA and USMEF have been strong partners for close to 35 years, collaborating through USDA's Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program, to improve market access for U.S. meat and meat products internationally. Nearly every dollar invested in the partnership by USDA is matched by USMEF.
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