June 14, 2005

Effects of latest US mad cow disease case

Japan would resume steps to lift its import ban on US beef despite the latest suspected case mad cow disease or BSE in the United States and the "risk" of finding more cows infected with BSE.

The South Korean government reported that after concluding third-round discussions and holding on-site inspections in the US, all it requires now is to examine relevant USDA documents before considering a lift of its US beef import ban.

Shares of Tyson Foods, the world's largest meat company, fell one cent to US$18.36 and rival Smithfield slipped US$0.12 to US$27.94. Analysts expect that this may be due to the possibility of another mad cow case in the US.