Singapore will reopen its market to imports of boneless beef products from the United States from cattle less than 30 months of age, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced January 19.

The decision partially reverses a ban on most U.S. beef imports that was imposed by the government of Singapore after a single cow of Canadian origin infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, also known as mad cow disease) was found in a U.S. herd in December 2003. 

Singapore’s decision follows recent similar actions by the governments of Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea. (See related article.)

"The opening of Singapore's market demonstrates a growing global confidence in the effectiveness of U.S. safeguards and the safety of U.S. beef," Johanns said.  The agriculture secretary said the United States would continue to push for resumption of normal beef trade based on science-based international standards for food and animal safety.

For more information on U.S. policies, see East Asia and the Pacific and Trade and Economics.

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Following is the text of a news release from the Department of Agriculture

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of Communications
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC  20250-1300

News Release
Release No. 0018.06

Contact:
Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623

SINGAPORE REOPENS MARKET TO U.S. BEEF

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2006 - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that Singapore will resume the import of U.S. boneless beef products from animals under 30 months of age under an agreement reached today.

"The opening of Singapore's market demonstrates a growing global confidence in the effectiveness of U.S. safeguards and the safety of U.S. beef," said Johanns. 

"This decision adds momentum to our goal of resuming normal beef trade throughout the world that follows science-based international guidelines in food and animal safety. We will continue to pursue this objective with all our trading partners."

Singapore's decision to lift its ban follows recent developments in Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea to resume trade in various beef or beef products.

In 2003, the United States exported $5.9 million of beef and beef products to Singapore, with boneless beef exports accounting for nearly $4 million. After the discovery of a BSE-infected cow in the United States, $4.8 billion worth of U.S. beef and beef product exports were banned. Markets accounting for $3.8 billion have since been recovered.