ID :
53184
Tue, 03/31/2009 - 21:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/53184
The shortlink copeid
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 (APHIS) has posted its intent to classify
South Korea as a region free of foot-and-mouth disease on the Federal Register on
Monday. The agency under the U.S. Department of Agriculture took this step after
it conducted a risk assessment and reached the conclusion that South Korea has
the veterinary infrastructure in place to detect and effectively eradicate the
disease.
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 the U.S. considers
buying South Korean beef since sanitary conditions of butchering and processing
facilities and other safety requirements set by Washington must be met.
"We will be obliged to 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 restrictions on beef imports from the North American
country last year. Seoul originally closed off its market in late 2003 after a
case of mad cow case disease was reported 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, losses were
estimated to have 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.
Beef industry sources, meanwhile, said that even if Seoul gains access to the
large North American market, exports will likely be small, since local beef costs
2-3 times more than that produced from cattle raised in the United States.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said the U.S. Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has posted its intent to classify
South Korea as a region free of foot-and-mouth disease on the Federal Register on
Monday. The agency under the U.S. Department of Agriculture took this step after
it conducted a risk assessment and reached the conclusion that South Korea has
the veterinary infrastructure in place to detect and effectively eradicate the
disease.
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 the U.S. considers
buying South Korean beef since sanitary conditions of butchering and processing
facilities and other safety requirements set by Washington must be met.
"We will be obliged to 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 restrictions on beef imports from the North American
country last year. Seoul originally closed off its market in late 2003 after a
case of mad cow case disease was reported 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, losses were
estimated to have 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.
Beef industry sources, meanwhile, said that even if Seoul gains access to the
large North American market, exports will likely be small, since local beef costs
2-3 times more than that produced from cattle raised in the United States.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
