WASHINGTON, May 29, 2003--The U.S.
Department of Agriculture announced today that it is amending its regulations
to allow the importation of fresh (chilled or frozen) beef from Uruguay.
Under the amended regulations, fresh
(chilled or frozen) beef from Uruguay would be allowed if a number of
conditions are met and certified by an authorized veterinary official of
Uruguay. These conditions include, but
are not limited to, certification of the origin of the meat, ante- and
postmortem veterinary inspections and a pH of 5.8 or less in the loin muscle
during maturation. The required conditions are designed to allow
importation of beef from Uruguay while continuing to protect American
agriculture from foot and mouth disease.