Suspension Of Inspection Continues; USDA Report Expected This Week

South Korea

Suspension Of Import Inspection Continues; USDA Report Expected This Week

An estimated 5,000 metric tons (mt) of U.S. beef remain trapped in the pipeline as the government of South Korea continued its suspension of import inspections for the second week.

The suspension came August 1 after the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS) detected vertebral column in one carton in a shipment of 1,176 cartons of beef imported from the United States. Under current import protocols agreed to by both countries, NVRQS noted, vertebral column is classified as a specific risk material. The Korean government is now awaiting a report from the USDA concerning its investigation of this and other incidents. South Korean Chief Veterinary Officer Chang Sub Kim noted when questioned by reporters that his government was working toward health requirements in line with OIE standards but that current requirements had to be followed. He told reporters that U.S. beef already inspected was safe, but sales of U.S. beef reportedly fell over the weekend despite this assurance.

Meanwhile, Korean President Roh Moo-hyun accepted the resignation of ag minister Park Hong-soo over the weekend, who will remain in the position until a successor is named, as NVRQS officials say they will wait for the USDA report before completing the regulatory process of moving to OIE standards.

South Korea

Suspension Of Import Inspection Continues; USDA Report Expected This Week

An estimated 5,000 metric tons (mt) of U.S. beef remain trapped in the pipeline as the government of South Korea continued its suspension of import inspections for the second week.

The suspension came August 1 after the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS) detected vertebral column in one carton in a shipment of 1,176 cartons of beef imported from the United States. Under current import protocols agreed to by both countries, NVRQS noted, vertebral column is classified as a specific risk material. The Korean government is now awaiting a report from the USDA concerning its investigation of this and other incidents. South Korean Chief Veterinary Officer Chang Sub Kim noted when questioned by reporters that his government was working toward health requirements in line with OIE standards but that current requirements had to be followed. He told reporters that U.S. beef already inspected was safe, but sales of U.S. beef reportedly fell over the weekend despite this assurance.

Meanwhile, Korean President Roh Moo-hyun accepted the resignation of ag minister Park Hong-soo over the weekend, who will remain in the position until a successor is named, as NVRQS officials say they will wait for the USDA report before completing the regulatory process of moving to OIE standards.