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South Korea lifts ban on US beef imports

HAY MAKER

Well-known member
South Korea lifts ban on US beef imports
08-09-2006 / 07:37
South Korea has lifted a ban on US beef imposed in 2003 because of fears of mad cow disease, clearing the way for an early resumption of the multi-million dollar trade.


A man impersonating US President George W Bush dances with a fellow protester in a cow costume, representing US beef imports to South Korea.
© AFP


The decision came after the ministry held a meeting of experts Thursday to review the result of inspections of US beef processing facilities which found no hygienic shortcomings, the agriculture ministry said.

"The government now gives final approval for importing US beef," it said.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Kim Dal-Joong told journalists that taking into account the time for packaging and shipment, it would take about 25 days before the first shipment of US beef arrives in South Korea.

He said the United States supplied 200,000 tonnes of beef to South Korea in 2003, accounting for 68 percent of its imports of the meat.

But future US beef imports are expected to be significantly less as US beef imported to South Korea in the past included bones, intestines and brain matter, whose imports will continue to be banned due to fears they can harbour the disease.

"Some 65 percent of the past US beef imported to South Korea were beef ribs, while another 10 percent to 15 percent included intestines, brain matter and tail parts that will remain banned this time," Kim said.

He said if any bones are found, the facility that shipped the product would be banned from future shipments.

If risky body parts such as brains, spinal cords, backbones and intestines are shipped, all US beef imports would be halted, he said.

South Korea had banned US beef imports since December 2003 after a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease, was confirmed in the United States.

South Korea is America's seventh-biggest trading partner. Bilateral trade last year totalled 72 billion dollars with the South enjoying a surplus of 16 billion dollars.

The announcement came as the two countries were engaged in free-trade talks in Seattle and six days before a summit between Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and George W. Bush in Washington.

Seoul agreed in January to lift the ban on US beef imports as part of efforts to pave the way for free-trade negotiations, but suspended the move after another mad cow case was reported in March.
 

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