A team of South Korean officials are scheduled to arrive in the United States today for what is hoped to be a final round of discussions before resuming imports of U.S. beef. After several prolonged delays, news reports now project shipments of U.S. beef could start in early October. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Mike John of Huntsville, Mo., says U.S cattlemen have waited long enough.   

Cut #1         :30          Outcue: "... shut down arbitrarily."

John says with help from key members of Congress and the Bush Administration, cattlemen have made it clear to South Korea that free trade agreement discussions between our two countries will not get off the ground unless and until beef trade is resumed.

Cut #2         :17          Outcue: "... make sure that happens."

Assuming beef trade is resumed, NCBA is supportive of free trade agreement talks with South Korea. U.S. beef currently faces Korean tariffs of about 40 percent, putting it out of reach of many potential consumers. One goal of the free trade agreement would be to reduce these tariffs over time, and eventually eliminate them completely.  

Cut #3         :22          Outcue: "... need to go away.”

South Korea was once the third-largest importer of U.S beef (trailing only Japan and Mexico). Sales of U.S. beef to South Korea exceeded $800 million in 2003, the last year trade was permitted.