Singapore will begin accepting U.S. beef imports by the end of February, according to information posted on the government’s official Web site. However, before importing any product, Singapore is asking to negotiate and clarify import requirements with U.S. trade officials. It is expected that imports will be restricted to boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months of age.
Additionally, Thailand began negotiations with the U.S. to reopen its markets to U.S. beef. It will send new import requirements to the USDA by Jan. 23, 2006.
Singapore and Thailand are the latest countries to reopen or consider reopening their borders to U.S. beef following a two year ban after the initial case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy was discovered in the U.S. in December 2003. Japan reopened its border in December and South Korea announced it will resume importing U.S. beef in March.