But the world closed its doors to American beef exports, a $3 billion business.

Government officials said on Wednesday that beef exports should return to normal in the coming days.

But it said beef export earnings rose 11 percent during the same period to $653 million.

Japan is the largest market for Australia's beef export industry.

Beef exports have also been running better than expected.

However, as can be seen, beef exports are not an essential part of the Argentine economy.

Traders said expectations for better beef exports were supportive at times.

The Argentine government has limited beef exports, which attract higher prices.

As the world's largest beef export nation it has also given us a fresh market edge."

The food inspection agency said the discovery should have no effect on Canadian beef exports.

It is unclear whether the new policy will affect American beef exports, formerly a $3-billion-a-year market.

One reason may be strong beef exports, traders said.

The revelations have shaken Ireland in particular, because beef exports are a key industry.

American beef exports are used mainly for table cuts.

Beef exports have been increasing amid rising global demand for meat.

In addition, beef exports have been a massive earner of foreign exchange.

Both grass and grain fed beef exports were equally hit.

A ban on British beef exports remains in force.

For service to the Australian meat industry, particularly the development of beef export markets and through professional organisations.

Live cattle prices are climbing after new beef export sales jumped nearly 70 percent last week.

But worries that consumer spending and beef exports may slow also played a role in the selling.

Data from the foreign trade secretariat show January's beef exports were the lowest for any month in at least three years.

In 18 months from now, warns a local agricultural scientist, beef exports will probably cease.

Through intense lobbying, the Bush administration has restored about one-third of its beef exports.

Along with that, the US has seen a resurgence in beef exports.