Vietnam grants full access for US beef
The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) reported Vietnam had removed all age and product restriction, which it called a positive step for American exports.
"It is encouraging whenever a trading partner removes BSE-related restrictions and grants full access to its market," said Thad Lively, USMEF senior vice-president for trade access.
USMEF has embarked on several trade trips to promote American beef in south-east Asia and Lively said this decision indicated they were paying off: "This indicates that the ongoing educational efforts of our US trade officials are paying dividends, as well as the negligible BSE risk status granted to the US by the OIE in May of 2013."
Vietnam is a small market for US beef and beef variety meat, with exports in 2014 totalling 2,869 metric tons (mt) valued at $22.1 million.