October 24, 2005

South Korea to decide on resuming US beef imports
 

South Korea would decide between end October and early November whether to resume US beef imports, the country's government said. Korean authorities have already received requested information related to the cases of mad cow disease, or BSE in the US, and would examine it before making a decision.

The country has banned US beef imports since late 2003, when a cow in Washington state was found to have contracted BSE.

A Korean official said it might take up to four months before actual shipments resumed, while waiting for a government panel decision and high-level negotiations.