S. Korea to resume beef imports from US

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 06-22-2008 08:59

South Korea's trade minister says the country could resume U.S. beef imports as early as next week once a legal step has been completed.

South Korea's trade minister says the country could  resume U.S. beef imports as early as next week once a  legal step has been completed.

In an effort to restart U.S. beef shipments to South Korea, the U.S. beef industry agreed to only ship beef from cattle under 30 months of age as requested by the Korea Import Beef Association.

South Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon announced the news in Seoul on Saturday, after meetings with his US trade counterparts in Washington.

Kim Jong-Hoon, South Korean Trade Minister said "We agreed to ban the import of U.S. beef from cattle older than 30 months of age, which has caused mounting public concern, through the Less than 30 Months Age-Verification Quality System Assessment Program for Korea."

Kim also said the publication of the notice was expected for next week.

Kim Jong-Hoon said "The legal notice is expected to be published on Monday, but the Prime Minister said the publication of the notice, which will be discussed within the government, must reflect public opinion."

Once the legal notice is published, U.S. beef that has been in frozen storage in South Korea for months could be inspected and then head to store shelves.

Earlier, South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo held a meeting with politicians from the ruling party, and reaffirmed their intention to ease public worries.

It is generally believed that older cattle carry a greater risk of mad cow disease.

Washington and Seoul reached a deal earlier this year that would have South Korea taking U.S. beef of all ages. But that sparked widespread protests in South Korea and led to talks this month in Washington to revise the deal.

South Korea was once the third-largest overseas market for U.S. beef, but it has largely banned U.S. beef since December 2003 when the United States reported its first case of mad cow disease.

Editor:Xiong Qu