South Korea bans ruminant meat products from 36 countries
South Korea decided to ban all imports of ruminant meat products, such as beef, sheep, and mutton, from 36 countries with a history of mad cow disease (BSE). Officials explained that the notice is based on Article 21 of the Food Sanitation Act adopted by the Asian country this year. All the 36 countries mentioned in the document have a history of mad cow disease outbreaks, according to Food Navigator Asia. This will have a big impact on exporters in the UK, USA, France, Germany, Canada, and Japan along with other small suppliers from all over the world.
The document is referring to "food and food additives made from ruminant animals or their by-products" and allows imports of beef fat or collagen only if the product carries a certificate issued by the government. For now, beef and beef product imports coming from animals under 30 months old are allowed for Australia, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Mexico, New Zealand, Uruguay, the Netherlands, and the US, as at this age cattle are rarely affected by the disease. Lamb, mutton, and sheep meat imports will be allowed only from Australia and New Zealand. The decision may also be a sign of protectionism for the domestic sector as many of the imported goods were cheaper than the ones produced in South Korea.
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