foodconsumer.org: U.S. talks with South Korea about beef ban

U.S. talks with South Korea about beef ban
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admin on 06/14/2008 22:40:00
 
Like Japan, South Korea is one of the countries that are picky enough to have
doubts about the safety of U.S. beef.   South Koreans are worried about mad cow
disease.
Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon was scheduled to meet Susan Schwab, the U.S.
representative, Friday evening, Reuters reported. But no quick deal was expected
to be made over the weekend to reopen the long-banned market in the third
largest importing country of U.S. beef.
South Koran President Lee Myung-bak, who took office just months ago, was said
to be in hot water over his intention to allow U.S. beef back into the country.
The first case of mad cow disease in the U.S., found in 2003, prompted South
Korea to impose the ban.
Unlike Japan, the U.S. does not test cows for mad cow disease before their meat
heads to market.  The U.S. government has repeatedly said cows younger than 30
months old are at low risk of the disease and prohibited private organizations
from conducting any tests of mad cow disease in the country.
Before leaving Washington, Kim said that he would seek measures to block imports
of beef from cows aged older than 30 months.
By Sue Mueller, and edited by Heather Kelley.
Jun 14, 2008 - 12:44:38 PM