June 27, 2007

South Korea allows beef from Tyson, Cargill

South Korea has lifted the ban on imports of US beef from Tyson Foods and Cargill after the US stated three shipments for domestic consumption were mistakenly exported to Korean ports.

South Korea closed its market doors to US beef in December 2003 due to mad cow disease but partially reopened its market last year with provisions that it will only accept boneless meat from cattle under 30 months old, which are thought to be less at risk of carrying the illness.

Seoul in late May and early June suspended imports from six facilities of 2 US meat companies: Springdale-based Tyson Foods and Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Cargill Incorporated. Korean officials said the companies sent beef that was intended for US domestic consumption.

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said says US exporters sold more than 500 tonnes of US beef to South Korea this year.

South Korea was the third-largest foreign market for American beef, after Japan and Mexico, before it banned US beef imports.