By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter


South Korea Tuesday delayed an announcement on its probe into the safety of U.S. beef, a step that is widely believed would lead to a reopening of the Korean market to U.S. beef.

The delay came right after a farmers’ group threatened to stage rallies, if the government removes the ban on beef from North America.

A livestock quarantine panel, which is responsible for determining the safety of imported beef, is scheduled to reconvene and hold an extended meeting in December. The panel is composed of representatives from the government, farmers and experts.

``After closely reviewing the quarantine documents, we will hold another meeting in two weeks,’’ a spokesman of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MOFA) said in a statement.

There were heated disputes between participants who claimed lifting the ban on beef resulted from pressure from the U.S. and the lobby which advocates U.S. farmers’ interests, according to MOFA officials.

The spokesman said some participants said that additional time is needed for experts to closely review the safety issue.

Right before the panel discussion, the Korean Advanced Farmers Association (KAFA) announced that it would protest with 3.5 million farmers nationwide if the government decides to bow to pressure from the U.S. by reopening the beef market. The agricultural association said the government should be more prudent about the issue, citing food safety concerns and the survival of the domestic farming industry.

The Hanwoo Association, a group of Korean beef producers, has also called on the government to consider Korean consumers’ worsening attitude toward American beef.

An official said the lifting of a ban on U.S. beef imports will pose grave health concerns for the Korean public.

kys@koreatimes.co.kr