Some American beef producers are expanding into the organic beef niche by exporting boxed beef from South America.

Agriprocessors was the largest (glatt) kosher meat producer in the United States and the only one authorized by Israel's Orthodox rabbinate to export beef to Israel.

He exports wheat, beef and soon his second grown son to the city.

Meanwhile, that country's ability to export beef is likely to be subject to Congressional hearings in February.

In 1988 Bolivia slaughtered 200,000 tons of cattle and exported 48,000 live cattle to Brazil, as well as processed beef to Chile and Peru.

Here he built a thriving commercial enterprise, exporting rice, spices and beef, and importing weapons and textiles.

Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Argentina agreed to export hormone-free beef to Europe, but American officials refused to go along.

It is also widely held that many inspectors have strong connections with, or even own, the farms being granted authority to export beef.

"I didn't even know we exported beef to some of the countries that have banned us," Mr. Croxton said.

The United States granted preliminary approval to Brazil in 2000 to export fresh beef, but withdrew that status after foot-and-mouth disease erupted in Brazil's southernmost states.