Israel to import US beef for first time in over a decade

Nebraska factory has received approval from Israeli regulators; imports stopped in 2003 over mad cow fears

By ToI Staff 11 February 2016, 6:34 am

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Steaks and other beef products are displayed for sale at a grocery store in McLean, Va. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Israel will begin regular imports of US beef for the first in over a decade following a deal with a Nebraska meat processing company, a local news source reported Wednesday.

According to the report in the Lincoln Journal Star, Western Reserve will immediately start shipping certified kosher meat to Israel after receiving approval from Israeli and American regulators.

Israel had stopped all beef imports from the US in 2003 after a cow in Washington State had been diagnosed with mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy).

“Nebraska beef producers are the best in the world. This historic agreement with Israel is a testament to our producers’ tireless commitment to delivering safe, high-quality beef products to dinner tables around the globe,” Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer (R) told the newspaper.

Senator Ben Sasse (R) added: “Through their hard work and uncompromising commitment to quality, Nebraska beef producers are second to none. This agreement will benefit our state and our friends in Israel.”