NELSON RESPONDS TO BEEF ANNOUNCEMENT FROM SOUTH KOREA

June 27, 2008 - Nebraska's Sen. Ben Nelson met with South Korea's Ambassador to the U.S., Lee Tae Sik, late Thursday to discuss U.S. beef trade with Korea. Ambassador Lee confirmed to Senator Nelson that his government has officially lifted its ban on imports of U.S. beef. Senator Nelson welcomed the Korean government's acknowledgement of the safety of U.S. beef and he looks forward to Korea's full resumption of imports consistent with international science-based standards.

"I thank Ambassador Lee for all of his hard work on this difficult issue and I appreciate the Korean government taking this important step amid their political difficulties," Senator Nelson said. "I am cautiously optimistic that we have made significant progress towards finally putting this matter behind us. I hope that very soon Korean consumers will once again enjoy the best and safest beef in the world."

Nelson said he will continue to closely monitor this situation to be certain that no major difficulties arise and that full trade of U.S. beef resumes. He also called on the Administration and American exporters to do to their part to make sure that all beef shipments to Korea are in compliance with the new protocols.

The Korean government's decision paves the way for the eventual full return of U.S. beef to the Korean market. However, a transitional period has been created during which Korean and American companies have voluntarily agreed to limit shipments to beef only from cattle younger than 30 months of age in order to rebuild Korean consumer confidence in U.S. beef.

South Korea banned imports of U.S. beef after the first case of mad cow disease in the U.S. was discovered in late 2003. Before the ban, Korea was the world’s 3rd largest importer of U.S. beef.

Finally, Nelson noted that once there is a full resumption of the beef trade, he believes discussions on a major free trade agreement with Korea might go forward.

"I will be monitoring the situation to see that full, fair and free trade of beef resumes between the U.S. and South Korea," said Nelson. "I've long said that once our beef is back on the shelves in Korea with no further trade problems, it would be appropriate to consider the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. With this beef decision, I believe Korea has taken an important step."

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	Press Release	June 27, 2008
NELSON RESPONDS TO BEEF ANNOUNCEMENT FROM SOUTH KOREA June 27, 2008 - Nebraska's Sen. Ben Nelson met with South Korea's Ambassador to the U.S., Lee Tae Sik, late Thursday to discuss U.S. beef trade with Korea. Ambassador Lee confirmed to Senator Nelson that his government has officially lifted its ban on imports of U.S. beef. Senator Nelson welcomed the Korean government's acknowledgement of the safety of U.S. beef and he looks forward to Korea's full resumption of imports consistent with international science-based standards. "I thank Ambassador Lee for all of his hard work on this difficult issue and I appreciate the Korean government taking this important step amid their political difficulties," Senator Nelson said. "I am cautiously optimistic that we have made significant progress towards finally putting this matter behind us. I hope that very soon Korean consumers will once again enjoy the best and safest beef in the world." Nelson said he will continue to closely monitor this situation to be certain that no major difficulties arise and that full trade of U.S. beef resumes. He also called on the Administration and American exporters to do to their part to make sure that all beef shipments to Korea are in compliance with the new protocols. The Korean government's decision paves the way for the eventual full return of U.S. beef to the Korean market. However, a transitional period has been created during which Korean and American companies have voluntarily agreed to limit shipments to beef only from cattle younger than 30 months of age in order to rebuild Korean consumer confidence in U.S. beef. South Korea banned imports of U.S. beef after the first case of mad cow disease in the U.S. was discovered in late 2003. Before the ban, Korea was the world’s 3rd largest importer of U.S. beef. Finally, Nelson noted that once there is a full resumption of the beef trade, he believes discussions on a major free trade agreement with Korea might go forward. "I will be monitoring the situation to see that full, fair and free trade of beef resumes between the U.S. and South Korea," said Nelson. "I've long said that once our beef is back on the shelves in Korea with no further trade problems, it would be appropriate to consider the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. With this beef decision, I believe Korea has taken an important step." ###