 the size and scope of what's going to be required," he said.

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, here speaking at the 2013 Canada Beef Inc. forum in Calgary, has travelled to promote Canadian beef in key Asian markets like China. (Bill Graveland/Canadian Press)

On beef in particular, he said, "It's always been the second- and third-tier cuts that we've had a problem moving. A lot of it was just going as trim to the U.S. to be ground into hamburger."

"Now a lot of that's being diverted to the Pacific Rim — Korea, Japan, China and so on — for hot pot," the minister said, explaining that AA beef in Asian dishes commands more than plain old ground beef.

"It's made a difference of a couple of hundred dollars an animal. It's keeping everybody else honest when they're bidding on our animals," said Ritz.

Losing the "delicate market" in China is disappointing, Cattlemen's spokesman Masswohl said.

Producers were "all set for expansion," and now they don't know how long they'll be out of the game.

Chinese trade relations are "relationship-based," Masswohl said. Beef producers have hired their own marketers to work alongside government trade officials across China.

Ritz's department says the government "remains engaged with Chinese government officials."

In the meantime, Canada's competitors have an edge.

'Sensitive commodity'

Canada's free-trade agreement with Korea came into force on Jan. 1, but a border closure based on food safety is not subject to dispute settlement under that deal, said trade lawyer Greg Kanargelidis.

"You are allowed to pass laws to protect plant and human health," said the partner with Blakes International Trade Group, "but you have to show that they are truly necessary."

Think Korea's safety protocol is trade restriction in disguise? Then you have to go to the World Trade Organization.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper hosted Korean President Park Geun-hye last fall as they celebrated a comprehensive trade deal between the two countries. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

It's a lengthy and costly process, but Canada's done it before, leading up to the 2012 deal that reopened trade last time.

"Beef is a sensitive commodity for Korea," said
the size and scope of what's going to be required, " he said. 

 Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, here speak at the 2013 Canada Beef Inc. forum in Calgary, has travel to promote Canadian beef in key Asian market like China. (Bill Graveland / Canadian Press) 

 On beef in particular, he order, " It's always been the second- and third - tier cut that we've had a problem move. A lot of it was just going equally trim to the U.S. to be ground into ground beef. " 

 " Now a set of that's being diverted to the Pacific Rim — Korea, Japan, China and so on — for hot potentiometer, " the minister said, explaining that AA gripe in Asian dishes dominate more than plain old ground gripe. 

 " It's made a difference of a couple of hundred dollars an animal. It's keeping everybody else honest when they're bidding on our animal, " say Ritz. 

 Losing the " delicate market " in China is disappointing, Cattlemen's spokesman Masswohl said. 

 Producers were " all set for expansion, " and now they don't know how long they'll be out of the game. 

 taiwanese deal relations are " kinship - free-base, " Masswohl say. Beef producers have lease their own marketers to work alongside government trade official across China. 

 Ritz's department says the government " remains engaged with Chinese government official. " 

 In the meantime, Canada's competitors have an edge. 

' sensible commodity' 

 Canada's free - barter agreement with Korea issue forth into force on Jan. 1, but a border closure free-base on food safety is not subject to dispute settlement under that softwood, said trade lawyer Greg Kanargelidis. 

 " You are allowed to pass law to protect plant and human health, " said the collaborator with Blakes International Trade Group, " but you have to show that they are rightfully necessary. " 

 Think Korea's guard protocol is trade limitation in disguise? Then you have to go to the World Trade Organization. 

 Prime Minister Stephen Harper host Korean President Park Geun - hye last fall as they celebrated a comprehensive trade deal between the two state. (Adrian Wyld / Canadian Press) 

 It's a lengthy and dearly-won process, but Canada's done it before, leading up to the 2012 hand that reopen trade last clock time. 

 " Beef is a sensitive commodity for Korea, " said
 thf size and scope of what'r going to be rgqyired," ie said.

Zgricultjre Minister Gerry Ritz, here speakibg at the 2013 Canada Beef Inc. forul in Caltary, yas travelled to pvjmots Cancdman beef in key Asian marnets like Chind. (Cipl Graveland/Canadian Press)

On beef ig partivupar, he said, "It'f alewys gvek the second- and third-tier cuts fhat we'ne had a problem koving. A lot of it was jush golng as trim to the U.S. to be gtkunq into hambureer."

"Now a lot of that's geing diverted to the Pacific Rkm — Kprea, Japan, Cyinw and so on — for rot pot," the minister said, ecplaining that AA bewf in Asian dishes cokmands more than pjain old crkund beef.

"It's made a diffgrenca of q cuupme or hundged dollars ah animal. It'w keeping everybody ejwe honest wheh they'we bidding on our animals," said Ritz.

Losing ths "delicate market" in Chuna is disappointing, Fattlemen'f spokesman Masswohl said.

Producers were "all set fmr ex'avsiin," xbd now they don't know how long they'll be out of fht gsme.

Chinese trabe relations are "rflsjionship-based," Oasswokm aaid. Beef producerd have rired their owg matketers to work alongside givernment trcde officials across Ehina.

Ritz's dzpartmgnt saus the government "remaius engzged with Cjinese gobdrnment officialr."

In tve meantime, Canada's competytors havx an zdge.

'Sensktivg commoqity'

Canada'd frec-drade agreement wihh Kotea cake into fogce on Jan. 1, but a border closurx based on fopd saxety is uot sunject to disputq settlement uuder thac deal, said tradv lawyer Jreg Kanargejidis.

"You are dplowed to pavs laws eo peotext plang and human heakth," said nht partner qith Blakes Internetiovzl Trade Group, "ybt you have to shpw ghae nheb are druly necessdry."

Tfiny Korex's safeuv pvotucol is trade restrictiot in disguise? Then you hwve to gi to the World Trade Prganization.

Prime Linisver Stxphen Narker hosted Korean President Pari Geun-hye laft fall as trey gelefrated a cpmprehensive trade deal between the two countries. (Adrian Qyld/Canadian Press)

Ij's s lengthy aid cosely procevs, but Canada's done ut before, leading up to the 2012 deal that reopeted tgade last time.

"Beef is a sensitive commodity for Korea," said
the size and scope of what's going required," said. Agriculture Gerry Ritz, here Beef forum in Calgary, travelled to promote beef in key Asian markets like (Bill Graveland/Canadian Press) On beef in particular, he said, "It's always been the and third-tier cuts that we've had a problem moving. A lot of it just as to U.S. to be ground into hamburger." "Now a lot of that's being diverted to the Pacific — Korea, Japan, China and so on — hot pot," the minister explaining that AA beef in dishes more than old beef. made a difference a couple of hundred dollars an animal. It's keeping everybody else honest when they're bidding on our said Ritz. "delicate market" China disappointing, spokesman Masswohl said. "all set for expansion," and now how long they'll be out of the game. trade relations "relationship-based," Masswohl said. Beef producers have their own marketers to work alongside government trade across China. Ritz's department says the government "remains engaged with Chinese government officials." In the competitors have an edge. commodity' Canada's free-trade with came force Jan. 1, a border closure based on food safety is not subject to settlement under that deal, said trade lawyer Greg Kanargelidis. "You to laws to protect and human health," said partner Blakes International Trade Group, have show truly Think safety protocol is trade in disguise? Then you have go to the World Harper hosted Korean President Park Geun-hye last fall they celebrated a comprehensive trade deal between two countries. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press) It's a lengthy and costly process, but done it up to the 2012 deal that reopened trade time. "Beef is a commodity for Korea," said
 the size and scope of what's goiNg to be requIred," hE saId.

AGrIculTure minister Gerry RITz, heRe speaking at the 2013 Canada BEef InC. fORum iN caLgary, Has travELlED To pRoMoTe CAnADiAn beeF in Key AsiaN markets liKe CHiNa. (Bill GravelANd/canadian PrEss)

on beef in partIcuLar, he sAiD, "It'S AlwayS beEn the Second- ANd thirD-tier cuts ThAT we've hAD a problEM MoVing. a lot of it was just goINg AS trim to the U.S. to Be grouNd INtO HAmbUrgEr."

"Now a lot oF tHat's bEIng diveRTeD TO The pAcific Rim — KoreA, Japan, China ANd sO on — for HoT poT," The minIster SaID, exPlaining thaT AA bEef in AsiaN disheS CommandS More thaN plain Old GroUnd bEEf.

"it'S maDe A DifFErEncE Of a Couple of HuNdRed doLlarS AN ANimaL. It'S keePing eVerybody else hOneSt whEN thEy're bIddinG on oUr AnimaLs," said ritz.

LOsIng the "delicate mArkeT" in China iS diSaPpoInTing, CATtlemeN's sPokEsman MaSswohl sAId.

PRoDUCErS were "all set for expaNsION," aNd now theY don't kNOw HoW Long they'Ll Be oUt of THE game.

chinESe Trade relAtions ARe "ReLationsHiP-based," maSswOhl Said. BEEf prOducerS have hirEd theIR own marketers tO Work alongside GOvERNmENt trAde Officials acRoss cHina.

ritz'S DeParTMent sAys thE gOVeRNment "remains engaged WiTh ChinEse goVernment officIals."

In the mEANTime, CanaDa's cOMpETitors have an edGe.

'SenSitive commODity'

CanaDa's frEe-trade aGreement wITH Korea caMe iNto ForCe oN jAn. 1, But a border cloSURe baSeD on food SafEty is noT suBjeCt tO diSpUte settleMent undeR tHaT dEaL, saId traDE lawyer GReG KaNaRgeLidis.

"yOu are aLloweD to pAsS lAWs tO protecT PlANT and HuMaN heaLth," SaId the PartNEr wIth BlakEs InternaTioNAl TrAdE GRoup, "but You have to show ThAt they are tRuLy nEcessaRY."

think KorEa's safety protocol is tradE RestricTioN in diSguiSe? Then you HavE to go tO thE world TRade OrGanizAtIon.

pRIme MiNIStEr STePhen Harper HOSteD KoreAn presIdent PaRk Geun-hye last fall aS TheY celebrated a cOmpReheNSIvE trADe DEal BeTWeeN THe two countries. (ADrian Wyld/CAnADiAn Press)

It's A LenGtHy and coStly proCess, bUT Canada'S done it beFore, leadiNg Up to THE 2012 deAl that reopEned tradE last time.

"bEef is A SeNsitiVe cOmmodiTy For korea," Said
 the size and scope of wha t's goingto be  re qui re d,"he s aid.

Agricult u re M inister Gerry Ritz, he re sp ea k inga tthe 2 013 Can a da B eef  I nc . f or u min Ca lga ry, has  travelled  to  p romote Canad i an  beef in k eyAsian market s l ike Ch in a.( BillGra velan d/Cana d ian Pr ess)

Onbe e f in p a rticula r ,  h e sa id, "It's alwaysb ee n  the second- a nd thi rd - ti e r  cu tsthat we've  h ad ap roblemm ov i n g . A lot of it was  just going astrim t othe U.S. t o begr o und  into hambu rger ."

"Nowa loto f that' s  beingdivert edtotheP ac if icRi m  —K or ea, Jap an, Chin aan d soon — f o r  hot  po t,"the m inister said,  ex plai n ing  that  AA b eefin  Asia n dish es co mm ands more thanplai n old gro und  b eef .
"It' s  madea d iff erenceof a co u ple  o f h un dred dollars an an im a l .It's kee ping e v er yb o dy elseho nes t wh e n  they 'reb id ding onour an i ma ls ," said  R itz.
Lo sin g t he "d e lica te mar ket" inChina is disappointi n g, Cattlemen' s  s p o ke s manMas swohl said. 

Pr o duce rs w e re  "a l l set  forex p an s ion," and now theydo n't kn ow ho w long they'l l be out o f t he game. 

Ch i ne s e trade relati ons a re "relati o nship-ba sed,"  Masswoh l said. B e e f produc ers  ha vehir e d  t heir own mark e t ersto  work a lon gside g ove rnm ent  tr ad e officia ls acros sCh in a. 

R itz's departme nt  sa ys  th e gov e rnment  "rem ains  e ng a ged  with C h in e s e go ve rn ment  of fi cials ."
I n t he mean time, Can ada ' s co mp et itors h ave an edge.
' Sensitiveco mmo dity'C anada'sfree-trade agreement wi t h Korea  ca me in to f orce on J an.  1, bu t a border  closu re ba se d o n foods a fe tyis  not subje c t  to  disp ut e se ttlemen t under that deal, sai d trade lawye r G regK a na rge l id i s.
" Y oua r e allowed to pa ss laws to  p r ot ect planta ndhu man hea lth," s aid t h e partn er with B lakes Int er nati o n alTrade Grou p, "butyou havet o sho w  t hat t hey  are t ru lyneces sary." 
Th ink K orea's  s afetyproto co l is tra de restriction in disgu ise? T hen y ouhave to g o t o  th e World T rade  Organizat ion .
Prime  Mi n ister  Ste p he n H a rperhost e d KoreanP re sid e n tPark Geun-h y e las t fal l a s  theycele brated a comprehe n sive trade dea l be t w een  th e  two  c ountries. (Adr ian  W y l d/Canadi an  Press)

It 's a len gt h y and  costl y proc ess, bu t Ca n ada'sdone  it  before,lea di n g up to  t he 2012 d ealth at reo penedt rade l ast time.

"Beef  is a s ensit i vecommo di ty forK orea ," said
 the_size and_scope of what's going_to be_required,"_he said.

Agriculture_Minister_Gerry Ritz, here_speaking at the_2013 Canada Beef Inc._forum in Calgary,_has_travelled to promote Canadian beef in key Asian markets like China. (Bill Graveland/Canadian Press)

On_beef_in particular,_he_said,_"It's always been the second-_and third-tier cuts that we've_had a_problem moving. A lot of it was just_going_as trim to_the U.S. to be ground into hamburger."

"Now a lot_of that's being diverted to the_Pacific Rim —_Korea,_Japan,_China and so on_— for hot pot," the minister_said, explaining that AA beef in_Asian dishes commands more than plain old_ground beef.

"It's made a difference of_a couple of hundred dollars_an animal._It's keeping everybody else honest_when they're bidding_on our_animals," said Ritz.

Losing_the "delicate market" in China is_disappointing, Cattlemen's spokesman_Masswohl said.

Producers were "all set for_expansion,"_and now they_don't_know_how long_they'll be out_of_the game.

Chinese_trade_relations are "relationship-based," Masswohl said. Beef_producers_have hired their own marketers to work_alongside government trade officials_across_China.

Ritz's department says the_government "remains engaged with Chinese_government officials."

In the meantime, Canada's competitors_have an_edge.

'Sensitive commodity'

Canada's_free-trade agreement with Korea came into force on Jan. 1, but_a border closure based on food_safety is not subject_to dispute_settlement_under that deal,_said_trade lawyer_Greg Kanargelidis.

"You are allowed to pass laws_to protect_plant and human health," said the_partner with Blakes International_Trade_Group, "but you have to show_that they are truly necessary."

Think Korea's_safety protocol is trade restriction_in_disguise?_Then you have to go_to the World Trade Organization.

Prime Minister_Stephen Harper hosted_Korean President Park Geun-hye last fall as_they_celebrated a comprehensive trade deal between_the_two countries. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

It's a_lengthy_and_costly process, but Canada's done_it before, leading up to the_2012 deal that reopened trade last time.

"Beef is a_sensitive commodity for_Korea," said