March 5, 2007

U.S. beef imports to South Korea seen to resume
 

The US is likely to resume its beef imports to South Korea this month, as the two parties will discuss the matter at high-ranking agricultural talks in Washington slated on March 5 and 6.

Imports of American beef have been halted in South Korea since last year after bone chips were found in meat packages.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Min Dong-seok is the head of the Korean delegation to the talks.

He said that Korea will again propose to return or destroy meat boxes that have bone fragments.

Seoul proposed the measure last month with the intent to resume US beef imports. But Washington rejected the offer, saying the move will prove meaningless if the policy does not to allow in any bone chips in meat packages regardless of size and amount.

A Korean delegate says Korea will resume the imports this month if the partial return principle is accepted.