Suggested Lead: The Beef Checkoff’s foreign marketing program continues to work toward boosting sales of U.S. beef internationally through checkoff-funded market development and promotional programs. Jim Peterson, vice chair of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and beef producer from Montana, says thanks in part to checkoff dollars and USDA market access program dollars, USMEF is aggressively regaining international beef and beef products markets that were lost in 2003…tape

Cut #1                :31                   O.C...”the BSE cow.”

Through the first nine months of 2007, Taiwan was the number six market for U.S. beef and beef variety meats and these marketing programs are funded in part by checkoff dollars...tape

Cut #2               :40                       O.C...”on their menus.”

USMEF depends heavily on checkoff funding to extend and expand international marketing efforts in places such as Hong Kong. …tape.
 
Cut #3               :34                     O.C...”U.S. beef availability.”
 
USMEF continues to make every effort to strengthen relationships with customers in international markets. U.S. beef producers need to remain competitive in this global market, and by leveraging beef checkoff dollars, USMEF continues to reiterate the value of high-quality U.S. beef to importers, buyers and traders.