May 16, 2007

South Korea's quarantine found no bone chips, dioxin in US beef imports

South Korea's agricultural quarantine service said Tuesday (May 15) that it has not found bone chips or higher-than-permissible levels of dioxins in US beef which arrived in April.

The National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service said four shipments totalling 20 tonnes have passed quarantine inspections and six more shipments containing 20 tonnes of American beef are undergoing or awaiting examination.

The service said more than 100 tonnes of American beef will arrive by the end of May and around 5,000 tonnes of US beef are to be imported monthly, starting in June.

The agency said the inspections were based on its automated import information system that aims to follow internationally accepted guidelines while safeguarding health.

Traces of dioxin were found in returned US beef shipments which South Korea imported last year. Dioxin is said to damage human immune system and cause cancer.

Before the two-year ban over mad cow disease concerns, US accounts for the bulk of beef imports, followed by Australia and New Zealand.

Seoul and Washington plan to hold talks after late May about allowing bone-in beef such as ribs into the country.