March 12, 2007

South Korea, US reach agreement on beef trade
 

South Korea has agreed that it would alter its quarantine standards over banned bone fragments from the US as bone chips will be still unacceptable and will not return the whole shipment.

According to the statement issued by the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the agreement--which was concluded at Washington last week--was not opposed by the US but did not appear satisfied. The US has expressed scepticism whether US beef producers would again attempt to export beef to Korea following the rejections.

The meetings were held to resolve outstanding agricultural issues that have been a sticking point in bilateral free trade negotiations, such as farm produce liberalisation.

According to South Korea's Yonhap News, the US adhered to its previous position that their beef is safe for consumption and that South Korea should open its doors to bone-in beef. Korean officials maintained that the US should respect the agreement reached in 2006 which allows only boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months year old.

South Korea will still continue to inspect all beef exports from the US.