South Korea lifts ban on U.S. beef imports
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea today lifted an import ban on U.S. beef, hoping to move on from a crisis that has battered the pro-American government.
Seoul and Washington agreed last week to restrict U.S. beef exports to younger cattle, modifying an earlier deal that placed few restrictions on meat shipments and sparked widespread outrage against the South Korean government.
The Public Administration Ministry issued a legal notice this morning on the agreement, the final step required before imports can resume.
Meat from cattle younger than 30 months are considered at less risk of mad cow disease, the focus of demonstrations against the South Korean government.
U.S. beef was banned from South Korea in 2003 after mad cow disease was discovered in American cattle. South Korea had been the third-largest market for U.S. beef. Limited imports were allowed last year before being suspended again.
Mad cow disease has been linked to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare and fatal human malady. U.S. and South Korean officials insist American beef is safe.
Korean activists have vowed to keep rallying against President Lee Myung Bak, calling for a complete renegotiation of the original accord. The government has rejected that.
Wednesday night, about 2,500 people rallied in central Seoul to condemn the pending move. Police sprayed fire extinguishers at activists as they tried to move a police bus, and scuffles broke out. Police said more than 100 people were detained.
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Again, the USDA doesn't follow it's own "sound science" policy. I love the smell of hypocracy in the morning...