Billings, Mont. - In June 2007, Montana Senator Max Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, vowed that Korea would not receive a trade pact hearing before the finance committee unless or until they agreed to accept U.S. beef. Today, Korea announced they would reopen their markets and accept our beef. Full resumption should take effect mid-May and allows for exportation of all U.S. beef and beef products from cattle of all ages.

Senator Baucus held firm, continued to push this issue, and today his perseverance paid off to the benefit of cattle producers in Montana and across the country. The Korean market is the third largest destination for USA beef. A hearing before the Senate Finance Committee is the initial step in ultimately approving the Korean FTA.