US welcomes end to Hong Kong beef ban

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States welcomed the Hong Kong government's lifting of a two-year ban on US beef imports imposed to control the spread of mad cow disease.

US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said he applauded Hong Kong's decision to allow imports of boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months old from which high-risk materials have been removed.

"We are extremely pleased with the reopening of another important market for US beef exports and we anticipate that trade will quickly begin," he said.

"I applaud the Hong Kong government for making trade decisions based on internationally accepted scientific standards."

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12/29/2005 US welcomes end to Hong Kong beef ban - AFP - yahoo.com