June 9, 2008

 

Bush agrees to stop US beef exports from older cattle to South Korea

 

In the wake of strong protests and massive demonstrations in South Korea, President Bush pledged Saturday to come up with measures to ensure that beef from older cattle is not exported to South Korea, Seoul's presidential office said.

 

Bush made the remark during a phone conversation with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, the presidential Blue House said.

 

Lee, who assumed the presidency just three months ago, has been lambasted by South Korean protestors due to his agreement in April lifting all age restrictions on US beef. South Korea previously only allowed beef from cattle younger than 30 months. The move to remove age restrictions was made before he was to meet President George Bush of the US and threats of a crucial FTA to be signed between South Korea and the US being in jeopardy over the beef issue.

 

While the South Korean protests, which involve thousands of citizens, have gone on for weeks now, the US government has repeatedly said it would not re-negotiate the agreement.

 

''President Bush said he sufficiently understands South Koreans' concerns and worries,'' it said in a statement. ''In this regard, (Bush) pledged to prepare specific measures to make sure that beef from cattle aged 30 months or older is not exported to South Korea.''

 

It did not say what those measures would be. The White House has not commented on the South Korean description of the Bush-Lee conversation.

 

It was unclear whether Bush's promise announced by South Korea would be enough to ease the opposition to imports of US beef.

 

Protestors have maintained that by allowing US beef, the government is failing to protect its people from mad cow disease. The US has not had a case of mad cow disease since 2003.

 

Both the South Korean and US governments have repeatedly said that American beef is safe to eat. Protesters, however, have demanded the agreement be scrapped or renegotiated.

 

Lee said Friday that demanding a renegotiation would spark a trade dispute with Washington that could affect South Korea's export-driven economy, especially its key auto and semiconductor industries.

 

South Korea and the US concluded a landmark free trade agreement last year which still awaits ratification by their respective legislatures.