December 15, 2005

South Korean panel declares US, Canadian beef safe

South Korea's livestock quarantine panel has declared US and Canadian beef safe for consumption, and recommended for the government to lift its two-year ban.

The country banned US and Canadian beef imports in 2003 due to mad cow disease, or BSE.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry plans to resume US and Canadian beef imports soon, but only from cattle younger than 31 months of age.

This condition came after the World Organisation for Animal Health reported that North American cattle under that age were at low risk of BSE.

On the other hand, Japan has resumed the beef imports on condition that they came from cattle under 21 months of age.

South Korea's government might also exclude brains and spinal cords of cattle, as they are considered to be at high risk of BSE infection.

Meanwhile, the Korean Advanced Farmers Federation (KAFF) has expressed concerns that the panel's decision might compromise food safety.