Results from Additional Negotiation on Import Health Requirements for US Beef and Beef Products

On 21 June, the Korean government announced that the import of US beef from cattle 30 months of age or over, which has raised public concerns, was effectively blocked through the use of the 'Less than 30 Month Age-Verification Quality System Assessment Program for Korea' (Korea QSA) guaranteed by the US government.

In addition, the government decided not to import such four items as brain, eyes, spinal cord and skull that the Korean people are most worried about, even though they are not included in the Specified Risk Materials (SRMs)

Moreover, if two or more food safety hazards are detected during the import quarantine inspection process, Korea may make a request to suspend the relevant establishment. In this case, the US will immediately suspend the establishment upon receiving the request, and Korean officials can inspect a certain plant which they deem necessary to audit.

The Korean government announced the above results from the additional negotiation with their US counterparts at 04:00PM, June 21. The effective implementation of the agreement is ensured by specifying it in the addendum of the Import Health Requirements.

The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries decided to notice the modified Requirements finalized on May 29 by reflecting the negotiation results in the Requirements and requested the Ministry of Public Administration and Security to publish the notice, on June 25. Upon the publication of the notice on June 26, the Import Health Requirements for US Beef and Beef Products entered into effect.

The following is the summary of the provisions added to the addendum of the Import Health Requirements in accordance with the agreement of the additional negotiation:

¡Û First, beef and beef products produced only by establishments participating in the USDA Less than 30 Month Age-Verification Quality System Assessment (QSA) Program will be allowed to enter Korea, until Korean consumer confidence in U.S. beef improves (Article 7).

¡Û Second, despite the fact that brain, eyes, skull, or spinal cord from cattle less than 30 months of age are not SRMs, the Korean government will return the relevant box or boxes to the US if they are found during the quarantine inspection process, (Article 8).

¡Û Third, with regard to interpretation of Article 8 and 24, the Korean government’s quarantine inspection authority is clarified over auditing meat establishments and those in non-compliance with the Requirements (Article 9).