U.S. Said to Compromise on Beef for South Korea (but really hasn't)

[Robbien]

Source: NYT

WASHINGTON — South Korean and American negotiators, seeking to defuse a furor over beef exports that has shaken up the government in Seoul, were near an agreement on Thursday in which the United States would not export to South Korea beef from cattle more than 30 months old, officials close to the talks said.

South Korea, under pressure after months of consumer protests, has sought the 30-month limit to placate concerns over American beef being possibly tainted with mad cow disease.

. . .

But officials close to the talks, who declined to be identified because they said the South Koreans had not been briefed, said the agreement relied on a voluntary arrangement by private exporters and importers not to ship American beef from cattle more than 30 months old for consumption in South Korea.

Since the crisis over beef erupted, the Bush administration has taken the position that it cannot change its trade accords with South Korea. Instead, American officials have called on South Korea to honor its pledge to lift the ban after the World Organization for Animal Health ruled in May 2007 that American beef was fit for consumption.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/20/washington/20trade.html?_r=1&ref=world&oref=slogin

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But over in Korea, Lee is telling fibs:

President Lee pledged to keep U.S. beef out of South Korea unless Washington limits exports to younger cattle, considered less at risk for mad cow disease.

In a nationally televised address Thursday, Lee said he will "ensure that U.S. beef older than 30 months will not be put on our dinner tables as long as people don't want it."

The South Korean leader said he told U.S. President George W. Bush earlier this month that South Korea "would not be able to import U.S. beef" if his demands to block beef from older cattle were not accepted.

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5ixreqy73OMLIaod0f6sUo19pkKoQ

Korea is supposed to take us at our word that we voluntarily only shipped younger beef but if we went ahead and shipped older beef, tough. The contract doesn't say we can't.

[rpannier]

1. Thanks for the post

I live and work in Korea and he (Myeong-bush) is being watched very closely by the public.
I don't think his lie is going to go unnoticed.
This country has the most number of people with access to the internet than any country on Earth.
It'll get out.

[Robbien]

2. What is very disturbing about this bill

is that all import controls Korea currently uses on US beef imports are to be stopped. Since the contract doesn't say we cannot ship you bones, or brain matter, or older beef, your inspectors cannot stop the shipment if they find such matter. I can see your inspectors being told to stop inspecting altogether.

And of course we are refusing to submit to labeling country of origin on the beef so it would be near impossible for the Korean people to boycott the purchase of it when they go grocery shopping.

[rpannier]

3. The labeling part will not be a serious problem

Because most beef is imported from Australia and the agreement between Australia and Korea allows (encourages) labeling.

So if the beef doesn't have the "Australian Beef" or "Korean Beef" sticker...Well...we know where it came from.

[Robbien]

4. Well, how about that

That is great news.

How about pricing? Are we trying to undercut the price to encourage the purchase of US beef? And all during the past couple of months during the protests has US beef been available on Korean shelves?

[cliss]

5. What liars.

"it cannot change its trade accords with South Korea. Instead, American"

This is the biggest pile of cow-dung I've seen in a long time.
U.S. negotiators can change the paperwork ANY WAY they want to. They just DON'T WANT TO because it will cost them more money to accomodate South Korea.

See how they operate?

Tip for South Koreans:
If you are worried about U.S. beef, here's what you do: stop buying beef for 1 or 2 months. Become vegetarian. Watch U.S. beef GO BAD in the grocery stores. If no one buys the suspect meat, there won't be any sales and then watch the US beef industry change its terms.
This is the most clear-cut case of the BUYER having the power that I've ever seen.
Exercise your power, S. Koreans. :smoke: