October 5, 2007

South Korea suspends inspections of US beef again

South Korea has again suspended quarantine inspections of US beef, according to a statement released today by South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Inspectors have discovered a 10 cm piece of neck bone in a US shipment, Meat and Livestock Australia said.

Bone-in beef is banned under South Korea's import rules for US product, with vertebral material a specified risk material for the transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

MLA reports that the South Korean market has strengthened for Australian beef, due to the low stocks in the market following Chuseok, combined with concerns over future volumes of US beef.

Retailers enjoyed a better than expected Chuseok, with major chains reporting a 10-30pc increase in sales of Australian beef on last year.

There is strong interest for bone-in items such as short rib, chuck rib and tails, which Australia is allowed to export.

Importers are now purchasing in preparation for seasonally high beef consumption in South Korea over the remainder of the year.