DENVER — The U.S. Meat Export Federation said on May 14 an “accidental reprinting” of a two-year-old news article announcing the beef access agreement between the U.S. and South Korea has created confusion on the status of that agreement.

Originally printed in
Ag Weeklyin the spring of 2008, the article in question has been reprinted in recent days by various news outlets, causing some to speculate the agreement between the U.S. and South Korea has changed. “In fact, there have been no changes to the agreement,” U.S.M.E.F. confirmed.

For the first three months of 2010, total U.S. beef (muscle cuts plus variety meat) exports to South Korea were up 24% in value and 11% in volume versus 2009. In March, the value of exports topped $28.5 million, a 112% increase over March 2009 while volume hit 6,026 metric tons (13.3 million lbs.), a 58% increase.