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
댓글 안에 당신의 성숙함도 담아 주세요.
'오늘의 한마디'는 기사에 대하여 자신의 생각을 말하고 남의 생각을 들으며 서로 다양한 의견을 나누는 공간입니다. 그러나 간혹 불건전한 내용을 올리시는 분들이 계셔서 건전한 인터넷문화 정착을 위해 아래와 같은 운영원칙을 적용합니다.
자체 모니터링을 통해 아래에 해당하는 내용이 포함된 댓글이 발견되면 예고없이 삭제 조치를 하겠습니다.
불건전한 댓글을 올리거나, 이름에 비속어 및 상대방의 불쾌감을 주는 단어를 사용, 유명인 또는 특정 일반인을 사칭하는 경우 이용에 대한 차단 제재를 받을 수 있습니다. 차단될 경우, 일주일간 댓글을 달수 없게 됩니다.
명예훼손, 개인정보 유출, 욕설 등 법률에 위반되는 댓글은 관계 법령에 의거 민형사상 처벌을 받을 수 있으니 이용에 주의를 부탁드립니다.
Close
x