June 4, 2008

South Korea requests US to limit beef imports
   

South Korea has requested the US not to export any beef that comes from cattle 30 months of age and older in order to alleviate local fears of mad cow disease, according to agriculture minister Chung Woon-chun.

Government spokesman Lee Dong-kwan has expressed hope that the US would respect South Korea's position following large-scale protests over the government's decision to fully reopen its market to US beef.

South Korea has delayed importing US beef due to the protests, despite reassurances that US beef is safe for consumption and that no specific risk materials would be imported.

Quarantine inspections of any US beef would not resume until the US responses to South Korea's request to avoid exports of older cattle, said Chung.

On Monday (June 2, 2008), several leading US beef companies including Tyson Foods and JBS Swift & Co. said they would label shipments to South Korea to indicate the age of cattle at time of slaughter.