UNITED STATES.
BSE COST $11 BILLION.
A government report released in Washington on Tuesday, claims that ranchers and farmers lost $11 billion, between 2004 and 2008, after Japan and South Korea, along with other countries banned the import of US beef.
The ban was imposed, after the discovery of BSE or mad-cow-disease was discovered at a meat plant in a downer cow during December 2003.Beef exports came to a virtual standstill as a result of the find, the markets of Japan and South Korea, have still not fully recovered.
Max Baucus, Senator for from Montana, who heads the Senate Finance Committee, said "While I am pleased Korea is now accepting some US beef, it is clear that the USDA must redouble their efforts to fully open the markets of Japan, China and the rest of the world to safe delicious US beef",
The US beef exports have been climbing back in December and January this year, but still a long way from the tonnage exported prior to December 2003.
