Voluntary Restriction is the Latest Korean Ploy
SOUTH KOREA - In an attempt to resolve mounting controversy over resumption of U.S. beef imports, domestic beef importers have offered to voluntarily restrict shipment of U.S. beef from cattle older than 30 months.
5 June 2008
1 minute read
According to the news agency DongA, The Korean government said that if U.S. meat exporters announce their voluntary regulation over the shipment of beef, it would consider the announcement of a reply from the United States to its request for banning imports of U.S. beef from cattle older than 30 months.
DongA reports that growing attention has been on the determination of private enterprises both at home and in the United States to provide a breakthrough in the impasse over the resumption of U.S. beef imports.
However, many have voiced caution about the “voluntary regulations” between the two countries’ businesses, saying that even if the move was accomplished it still remains to be seen whether it is legally binding.
Domestic meat importers not to import beef from cattle over 30 months old
DongA say that the Korean Meat Imports Association, which represents domestic beef importers, has decided not to import U.S. beef from cattle older than 30 months and is expected to announce their resolution soon.
However, the resolution has no legal or binding effects given that it is just a recommendation of the association. Moreover, the import business is a return system rather than a licensing system, which means no punitive measures would be available when a new importer doesn’t follow the recommendation.
TheCattleSite News Desk
