November 15, 2007

 

South Korea, Canada to hold discussions on beef trade

 

 

South Korea and Canada will hold working-level talks next week to discuss the possible lifting of Seoul's ban on Canadian beef imports.

 

The South Korean agriculture ministry said the meeting will be held on November 22 to 23 in Seoul and focus on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) conditions within the decision by the World Organization for Animal Health in late May that classified Canada as a "controlled risk" country in terms of mad cow disease.

 

Prior to its ban in 2003, Canada was previously the fourth-biggest exporter of beef to South Korea after the United States, Australia and New Zealand. In 2002, it exported 16,400 tonnes worth US$37.4 million.

 

In June, Ottawa formally requested a resumption of talks through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency with Seoul conducting an import risk analysis evaluation, which is a right of World Trade Organization members. Of the eight-tiered risk analysis process, the country is currently at the fourth level after having completed on-site inspections of Canada's animal sanitary, quarantine and feed systems.

 

Ministry officials expected Canada to request a lifting of all import restrictions commensurate with the global animal health body's designation.

 

A "controlled risk" country can technically export all beef parts with the exception of certain specified risk materials (SRMs).

 

Tonsils and small intestine parts are banned but no restrictions on brains, head bones, and vertebra if the butchered animal under 30 months old.

 

South Korean lawmakers said they will respect internationally accepted guidelines, however the ban on SRM import limits will be retained while easing rules on importing ribs and other bone parts.

 

On the other hand, South Korea are still yet to settle dates have for the second round of beef import talks with the United States. The first working-level negotiations held in October has failed. 

 

Washington has been insisting on the lifting of all restrictions, while Seoul said it wants to hold onto the 30-month age limit and the ban on certain SRMs.

 

South Korea and the United States reached a revised SPS pact in January 2006 and customs inspections resumed in late April of this year. All US beef imports, however, have been halted since last month after the discovery of backbones in one shipment.

 

Officials said there will be no further American beef imports until a new SPS deal is signed.