ID :
53110
Tue, 03/31/2009 - 16:27
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/53110
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U.S. to change rules on S. Korean beef
SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- The United States has officially taken steps to
change South Korea's animal disease status, a move which will allow South Korea
to export locally produced beef,the government said Tuesday.
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said the U.S. Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service has posted its intent to classify South Korea
as a region free of foot-and-mouth disease on the Federal Register on Monday.
It said if there are no objections during the 60-day-long review period the new
classification will go into effect after May 29.
"Seoul has been asking Washington since May 2007 to update its animal disease
roster, which has effectively made it impossible to export locally produced beef
and other meat from cloven hoofed animals," said Chang Ki-yoon, the ministry's
chief veterinary officer. He said once the new status is given, the government
will take steps to get the United States to open its market.
The official, however, said that it may take 2-3 years before exports could take
place since sanitary conditions of butchering and processing facilities and other
safety requirements set by Washington must be met.
"We must submit all pertinent information and data on sanitary conditions, while
the U.S. will likely conduct on-site inspections to check local facilities and
review all meat processing conditions," Chang said.
South Korea has been requesting "equal access" to the U.S. market following its
decision to lift most restriction on beef imports from the North American country
last year. Seoul had originally closed the market in late 2003 after the
discovery of a mad cow case in the country.
Foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious, affecting cattle, pigs, deer, goats
and sheep. The disease causes blisters on the mouth and feet of livestock and
leads to death. It is rarely transmitted to humans.
South Korea was hit by the disease in 2000 and 2002. In 2000, the losses reached
300 billion won (US$216 million), while the 2002 outbreak cost 150 billion won.
It has, however, been classified as a foot-and-mouth clean region by the World
Organization for Animal Health in November 2002.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
change South Korea's animal disease status, a move which will allow South Korea
to export locally produced beef,the government said Tuesday.
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said the U.S. Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service has posted its intent to classify South Korea
as a region free of foot-and-mouth disease on the Federal Register on Monday.
It said if there are no objections during the 60-day-long review period the new
classification will go into effect after May 29.
"Seoul has been asking Washington since May 2007 to update its animal disease
roster, which has effectively made it impossible to export locally produced beef
and other meat from cloven hoofed animals," said Chang Ki-yoon, the ministry's
chief veterinary officer. He said once the new status is given, the government
will take steps to get the United States to open its market.
The official, however, said that it may take 2-3 years before exports could take
place since sanitary conditions of butchering and processing facilities and other
safety requirements set by Washington must be met.
"We must submit all pertinent information and data on sanitary conditions, while
the U.S. will likely conduct on-site inspections to check local facilities and
review all meat processing conditions," Chang said.
South Korea has been requesting "equal access" to the U.S. market following its
decision to lift most restriction on beef imports from the North American country
last year. Seoul had originally closed the market in late 2003 after the
discovery of a mad cow case in the country.
Foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious, affecting cattle, pigs, deer, goats
and sheep. The disease causes blisters on the mouth and feet of livestock and
leads to death. It is rarely transmitted to humans.
South Korea was hit by the disease in 2000 and 2002. In 2000, the losses reached
300 billion won (US$216 million), while the 2002 outbreak cost 150 billion won.
It has, however, been classified as a foot-and-mouth clean region by the World
Organization for Animal Health in November 2002.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
