April 16, 2008

US, South Korea fail to reach agreement on beef trade

The US and South Korea were not able to settle the issues concerning American beef imports.

The US wants South Korea to fully reopen its market to US beef, while officials in Seoul are still concerned about the safety of the product after receiving shipments containing restricted material.

Talks have been held between the two sides since Monday but no agreement has been reached.

The difference between what the US and South Korea want are so wide that there have been no progress at all, said Min Dong-seok, South Korea's deputy farm minister.

South Korea only allows imports of boneless US beef from cattle younger than 30 months due to BSE concerns.

South Korean officials suggested allowing both boneless and bone-in beef from the US, but maintaining the age restriction.

Washington, on the other hand, wants South Korea to completely open its market to a full spectrum of US beef.