It has become known that while visiting the White House, president Roh Moo Hyun promised US president George W. Bush that he would resolve the issue of resuming imports of American beef as soon as he returned to Seoul. Given the fatal results that can be caused by mad cow disease that promise was very inappropriate. Food safety has to be dealt with transparently and based on objective and scientific data.
Korea has prohibited the importation of American beef since 2003 when a cow in the state of Washington was found to have mad cow disease, and ever since it has been the single biggest trade issue between the two countries. During the rice negotiations at the end of last year the US side brought up the beef issue continuously, and it was not listed as part of what was talked about additionally the Korean side conveyed its willingness to work for a favorable outcome about the beef. As if to prove that, there has been progress on the issue between the disease control experts from both countries meeting in February and the one coming this month, and a decision on whether or not to restart imports of US beef is right around the corner.
One has to note the two-faced approach of the US. When mad cow disease broke out in Europe in the nineties, the US would prohibit imports from the country in question even in suspected cases, through the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Then where there is case of mad cow in the US, it got the OIE moving to recognize red meat as safe when under 30 months old, even after an outbreak of mad cow disease, and allow it to be traded. To defend its own producers it has changed international regulations to apply trade pressure.
It is internationally established that food safety quarantine is a sovereign right of nations. Korean consumers have responded with rage when faced with dangerous food products. The importation of beef is not something that should be subject to diplomatic negotiations.
The Hankyoreh, 24 June 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
Beef Imports Not to Be 'Negotiated' |
