Congressman Offers Hearing to Address Beef Concerns

“U.S. beef export to Korea will be possible only when it completely meets the U.S. safety standards. It is impossible to imagine for any beef producer to export BSE-risk beef. If that happens, it will be a disaster for the U.S. beef industry and the beef producers won’t accept it,” Eni Faleomavaega, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment in U.S. Congress, said in a press conference for Korean reporters on Monday.

The Democrat congressman for American Samoa had invited the sex slave victims under the Japanese rule to Capitol Hill to hold the first hearing in February last year, and played a critical role in passing the “comfort women” resolution in Congress along with Congressman Michael Honda.

“I will seriously consider holding a hearing on the Asia Pacific Subcommittee front to alleviate uncertainties caused by misleading information and to find out the cause of the problem,” said Faleomavaega. “We will be able to invite Korean scientists and experts as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Trade Representatives.”

He said, “What matters most is not (exporters and importers) making money but safeguard Koreans’ safety and health. Only U.S. beef that meets the same standards of the beef consumed in the United States will be exported.”

Regarding the rumor that beef from older cattle will be exported, which differs from beef for U.S. domestic consumption, he said, “It is impossible to apply different standards for domestic consumption, when U.S. ranchers export.”

A financial source said, “Ninety-five percent of beef consumed in the United States is from cattle younger than 30 months of age because the U.S. beef supply itself mostly covers the younger cattle. They are not intentionally supplying younger cows. Because the supply ratio is 95 to five, consumers end up buying younger cattle.

“I was shocked to learn that some Koreans attacked Korean Americans for siding with the U.S. exporters,” said Faleomavaega. “The media is important. Please deliver the truth instead of misinformation and rumors.”

sechepa@donga.com