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U.S. beef will be imported without age limit from the beginning of June. During negotiations between Korea and the U.S., the two sides agreed that Korea would first import beef from cattle aged less than 30 months old. Imports from cattle aged 30 months or older was supposed to be imported after certain qualifications are met. However, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday announced stronger measures on animal feed, Korea decided to import U.S. beef without age limit straight away.
The FDA announced a ban on producing livestock feed containing the brain and spinal cord of animals older than 30 months from April next year. According to the agreement signed last Friday, as long as the U.S. ˇ°publishesˇ± tougher measures, Korea would import any parts of cattle regardless of age, except for seven high-risk parts such as the spinal cord.
Min Dong-seok, assistant minister of food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, said the required procedure will be completed by mid-May. This completely disarms the Korean market against imports of U.S. beef as of early June. Critics say the decision was hasty given that all the U.S. has done is to publish legislation it is going to take. Min countered the stronger regulation on animal feed was not part of the negotiation but ˇ°a bonusˇ± Korea received. ˇ°I believe the newly revised law will be implemented; the U.S. government seems determined,ˇ± he added.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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