October 13, 2003

China Lifts Ban on Korea Imported Livestock

China has lifted its ban on the import of Korean livestock, nearly a year and a half after a few cases of foot-and-mouth disease were reported in the country, officials at the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry said yesterday.

On September 29, China recognized South Korea as "a foot-and-mouth disease free zone" and will resume the import of bovine and pig meat and meat products from Korea, ministry officials said.

China's ban was put in place in May last year, when some cases of the infectious deadly virus were reported in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. The country prevented South Korean cloven-hoofed animals, such as cows, pigs and sheep, which are affected by the disease, as well as their by-products, from entering the country.