Decision On US Beef Re-Access Appears Imminent
South Korea
Decision On U.S. Beef Re-Access Appears Imminent
USMEF expects South Korea to announce the re-opening of its market to imports of U.S. beef as early as the end of this week. USMEF has learned that an announcement could come following a scheduled Thursday (Sept. 7) meeting of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Advisory Committee – a coalition of consumer and producer organization representatives, and academics assembled to discuss the safety of U.S. beef. A plausible, yet unconfirmed, scenario would see the committee approve the export eligibility of 36 plants that MAF and its subsidiary inspection organization - NVRQS - have visited as part of an audit process, and for MAF officials to announce the plant approvals at a press conference within days of the Thursday meeting. USMEF believes that no further legal or regulatory procedures exist beyond the announcement of the eligibility of the 36 plants, and that imports may be allowed to resume with the public announcement by MAF.
Three Korean auditors returned to Korea early this week after inspecting seven plants in the United States to ensure compliance with procedures for segregating Canadian cattle from production runs of U.S. beef destined for Korea. The segregation of Canadian cattle is a requirement of the USDA-AMS export verification program for Korea. Korean officials also observed the sanitation of carcass splitting saws, to confirm that adequate procedures were in place to ensure effective sanitation of equipment utilized on under and over 30-month-old animals. USMEF believes that the final approval of all 36 plants, including those inspected last week, will not be internally finalized until later week this week.
USMEF understands the MAF announcement will emphasize NVQRS has confirmed all 36 plants comply with the terms of the agreement that was reached between Korea and the United States in January of this year. At this time, it does not appear that the announcement will include any details on Korea’s intended import quarantine and inspection procedures; however, MAF may use this opportunity to reiterate the fact that the January agreement applies only to boneless beef and Korea intends to apply a zero tolerance policy to the presence of any bone-in product presented for inspection.
South Korea
Decision On U.S. Beef Re-Access Appears Imminent
USMEF expects South Korea to announce the re-opening of its market to imports of U.S. beef as early as the end of this week. USMEF has learned that an announcement could come following a scheduled Thursday (Sept. 7) meeting of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Advisory Committee – a coalition of consumer and producer organization representatives, and academics assembled to discuss the safety of U.S. beef. A plausible, yet unconfirmed, scenario would see the committee approve the export eligibility of 36 plants that MAF and its subsidiary inspection organization - NVRQS - have visited as part of an audit process, and for MAF officials to announce the plant approvals at a press conference within days of the Thursday meeting. USMEF believes that no further legal or regulatory procedures exist beyond the announcement of the eligibility of the 36 plants, and that imports may be allowed to resume with the public announcement by MAF.
Three Korean auditors returned to Korea early this week after inspecting seven plants in the United States to ensure compliance with procedures for segregating Canadian cattle from production runs of U.S. beef destined for Korea. The segregation of Canadian cattle is a requirement of the USDA-AMS export verification program for Korea. Korean officials also observed the sanitation of carcass splitting saws, to confirm that adequate procedures were in place to ensure effective sanitation of equipment utilized on under and over 30-month-old animals. USMEF believes that the final approval of all 36 plants, including those inspected last week, will not be internally finalized until later week this week.
USMEF understands the MAF announcement will emphasize NVQRS has confirmed all 36 plants comply with the terms of the agreement that was reached between Korea and the United States in January of this year. At this time, it does not appear that the announcement will include any details on Korea’s intended import quarantine and inspection procedures; however, MAF may use this opportunity to reiterate the fact that the January agreement applies only to boneless beef and Korea intends to apply a zero tolerance policy to the presence of any bone-in product presented for inspection.