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Korea has effectively agreed to resume import of Canadian beef from cattle aged under 30 months. The Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on Tuesday said Canada in two-day bilateral talks at the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service demanded Korea resume import of Canadian beef of all parts and ages since it has regained ¡°controlled¡± BSE risk status from the organization for animal health (OIE).
Seoul responded it can only allow import of beef from cattle younger than 30 months according to domestic regulations, and Canada accepted.
The Agriculture Ministry will conduct a field inspection in Canada this month, and negotiate the details of banned parts such as the specified risk materials, qualifications for meat processing factories, and measures in case of a renewed outbreak out of BSE.
Korea banned import of Canadian beef in May 2003 after mad cow disease broke out in the country. Canada has seen a total of 14 cases of BSE infection, with the latest reported in August.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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