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South Korea says U.S. beef safe amid protestsSEOUL, South Korea (AP)--The South Korean government tried to assuage fears Friday over the safety of U.S. beef, while thousands of people rallied in Seoul against the coming resumption of imports. Agriculture Minister Chung Woon-chun, other officials and medical experts spoke at a nationally televised news conference to head off a spate of sensational reporting since the government agreed last month to resume imports following a lengthy ban over fears of mad cow disease. "I feel it is regrettable that allegations over safety have been raised that lack a concrete scientific basis," Chung said. "U.S. beef is safe from mad cow disease." On May 6, a popular TV current affairs program questioned the safety of U.S. beef, even claiming South Koreans are more susceptible than Americans and Europeans to contracting a rare sickness that can result from eating beef infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Medical officials who spoke at the press conference rejected the claim. On May 2, a crowd estimated by police at 10,000 people gathered in downtown Seoul for a candlelight vigil against the resumption of beef imports. They chanted "Down with President Lee Myung-bak." Postings on South Korean websites have also criticized the import decision. Angry messages were sent to Lee's blog, media reported. The message section of his blog could not be accessed May 2. South Korea agreed two weeks ago to resume imports of U.S. beef just hours before a summit between leaders of the two countries in the United States. Seoul suspended U.S. beef imports in late 2003 after BSE was discovered in Washington state, cutting off what was then the third-largest overseas market for American beef. Several efforts to resume restricted imports beginning in late 2006 floundered after some shipments were found to contain animal parts, such as bones, banned over BSE concerns. The beef issue had been a major irritant in bilateral relations and threatened the approval of a wider free-trade agreement between the two longtime allies. Some U.S. lawmakers insisted the beef issue needed to be resolved for them to back the trade deal, signed last year. Legislatures in both countries have yet to approve the accord. South Korea's Agriculture Ministry said in April that imports were expected to resume in mid-May and expand in stages. Seoul will first allow imports of American beef from cattle younger than 30 months, including cuts with bones. Younger cows are believed to be at less risk for BSE. Beef from older cattle will also be cleared for import after the U.S. strengthens controls on feed to reduce chances of infection, the ministry said. South Korea also agreed not to immediately halt imports even if a new case of BSE is discovered in the U.S. Instead, it will only move to halt imports if the Paris-based World Organization for Animal Health downgrades its safety rating for American cattle. South Korean farmers have vigorously opposed imports of U.S. beef as well as the free-trade deal, fearing cheaper imports will threaten their livelihoods. 5/12/08 Date: 5/6/08
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