March 20, 2007

South Korea and US kick off beef import negotiations
 

The US has recently kicked off negotiations with South Korea for American beef imports into the country.

A contending issue in US-South Korean beef negotiations, South Korea has frowned upon bone fragments in US beef shipments, which it considers at risk of contamination by mad cow disease.

The three-day talks are intended to help finalise a free trade deal, which both countries hope to achieve by end-March.

Also up for discussion are quarantine issues and market access for US agricultural products in South Korea, said a US embassy spokesperson.