2,900 Tons of U.S. Beef Clears Inspection Procedures

More than half of U.S. beef shipments that had been held in quarantine two weeks have been cleared after the government announced new conditions for the American meat.

The National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service yesterday said it issued quarantine certificates for 189 shipments covering 2,925 tons of U.S. beef as of Sunday since inspections resumed June 26.

This is around 55 percent of 5,300 tons held in customs after authorities suspended inspections on U.S. beef in early October last year.

Authorities said 855 tons of cleared U.S. beef have been passed on to importers.

With inspection and distribution of U.S. beef held in customs rapidly making progress, this could clear the way for 4,000 tons of U.S. beef that had cleared U.S. inspection for export to Korea but are being held in American ports due to the inspection ban.

A quarantine official said, “We haven’t confirmed if the U.S. began shipment of the meat to Korea yet, but given the pace of inspection and distribution, it could head here within this week.”

Fifteen days is usually required for U.S. beef to arrive in Korea.

cha@donga.com