December 13, 2008

South Korea suspends beef imports from Swift Beef Co

South Korea has suspended beef imports from a Swift Beef Co. slaughterhouse after the plant repeatedly shipped spoiled meat to the country, said the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service.

The Greeley, Colorado-based Est 969 slaughterhouse had exported 2,466 tonnes of beef to South Korea since July, with three of its shipments found to contain spoiled beef since November, the agency said.

Under the beef trade agreement between South Korea and the US, Seoul can suspend imports until corrective measures are taken if spoiled shipments from the same plant are found twice.

Local media reported that Japanhad suspended imports from the same slaughterhouse last month after discovering it had shipped beef that was improperly labeled on its export certificate.