ID :
52622
Sat, 03/28/2009 - 08:47
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/52622
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea watching U.S. cattle feed review closely: Korean embassy
WASHINGTON, March 27 (Yonhap) -- A pending review by Washington of cattle feed restrictions will be closely watched by Seoul, the South Korean embassy here said Friday as the Barack Obama administration delays implementation of the measures by 60 days .
The Obama administration postponed -- as part of a viability review process --
enacting cattle feed regulations adopted under the George W. Bush government. The
measures under review include the "Enhanced Feed Ban."
The ban prohibits the rendering of cattle aged above 30 months from being used in
animal food products without first having the brain and spinal column removed.
Older cows are considered more susceptible to mad cow disease.
The Enhanced Feed Ban was due to take effect from April 27, about one year after
it was promulgated on April 25 last year.
"We are closely monitoring the U.S. government's review process," the embassy
said in a statement.
The 60-day postponement would not affect South Korea's current imports of U.S.
beef, the embassy said. But enactment of the enhanced feed ban would have a
positive effect in allaying persistent fears in South Korea about the link
between American beef and the mad cow disease.
In April last year, South Korea agreed to abandon the age limit for U.S. beef
imports as soon as the U.S. implemented the enhanced feed ban.
Weeks of street rallies in South Korea against the government decision, however,
prompted officials of South Korea and the U.S. to agree to a moratorium on
imports of U.S. beef from cattle older than 30 months until South Korean consumer
confidence is restored.
The rallies cripped the fledgling government of Lee Myung-bak, which was
inaugurated in February last year.
The age limit for U.S. beef shipments still serves as a major hurdle -- along
with an imbalance in auto trade -- to congressional ratification of the
Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in 2007. U.S. officials have
referred to the need to address the issue before bringing the FTA to Congress.
U.S. beef has regained its status as the biggest selling beef product in the
South Korean market, outperforming Korean and Australian beef since hitting
shelves again late last year.
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said earlier this month that he will
prioritize the beef issue.
"I also need to determine if there is any additional concerns, particularly in
relation to U.S. beef," he said at that time. "U.S. beef from cattle under 30
months of age is selling well in Korea since the market was opened in June 2008
and Korea was the fourth largest 2008 export market for U.S. beef."
South Korea's National Assembly is also delaying deliberations on the Korea-U.S.
FTA, citing growing protectionist sentiment in the Democratic U.S. Congress in
the wake of deepening global economic woes.
South Korean officials have said they will not renegotiate the FTA signed in
2007, while experts suggest "creativity" in addressing shortfalls in side
agreements or other forms without revising the agreement itself.
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
The Obama administration postponed -- as part of a viability review process --
enacting cattle feed regulations adopted under the George W. Bush government. The
measures under review include the "Enhanced Feed Ban."
The ban prohibits the rendering of cattle aged above 30 months from being used in
animal food products without first having the brain and spinal column removed.
Older cows are considered more susceptible to mad cow disease.
The Enhanced Feed Ban was due to take effect from April 27, about one year after
it was promulgated on April 25 last year.
"We are closely monitoring the U.S. government's review process," the embassy
said in a statement.
The 60-day postponement would not affect South Korea's current imports of U.S.
beef, the embassy said. But enactment of the enhanced feed ban would have a
positive effect in allaying persistent fears in South Korea about the link
between American beef and the mad cow disease.
In April last year, South Korea agreed to abandon the age limit for U.S. beef
imports as soon as the U.S. implemented the enhanced feed ban.
Weeks of street rallies in South Korea against the government decision, however,
prompted officials of South Korea and the U.S. to agree to a moratorium on
imports of U.S. beef from cattle older than 30 months until South Korean consumer
confidence is restored.
The rallies cripped the fledgling government of Lee Myung-bak, which was
inaugurated in February last year.
The age limit for U.S. beef shipments still serves as a major hurdle -- along
with an imbalance in auto trade -- to congressional ratification of the
Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in 2007. U.S. officials have
referred to the need to address the issue before bringing the FTA to Congress.
U.S. beef has regained its status as the biggest selling beef product in the
South Korean market, outperforming Korean and Australian beef since hitting
shelves again late last year.
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said earlier this month that he will
prioritize the beef issue.
"I also need to determine if there is any additional concerns, particularly in
relation to U.S. beef," he said at that time. "U.S. beef from cattle under 30
months of age is selling well in Korea since the market was opened in June 2008
and Korea was the fourth largest 2008 export market for U.S. beef."
South Korea's National Assembly is also delaying deliberations on the Korea-U.S.
FTA, citing growing protectionist sentiment in the Democratic U.S. Congress in
the wake of deepening global economic woes.
South Korean officials have said they will not renegotiate the FTA signed in
2007, while experts suggest "creativity" in addressing shortfalls in side
agreements or other forms without revising the agreement itself.
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
