Korea-Canada Showdown Looms over Beef Imports

(The Korea Herald – Yoo Soh-jung)

The beef trade row between Korea and Canada is expected to make a showdown within this month, as the World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel is expected to be established soon in line with the Canadian government's second request.

Ottawa is expected to ask again today [Thursday] that the WTO step in to resolve the beef row with Seoul that has been persisting for six years now. This second request would follow the initial request made on July 9 by Ottawa on grounds that Seoul refuses to remove its import ban of Canadian beef. Seoul would not be able to oppose arbitration upon a second request, experts say.

Korea imposed a ban on the Canadian meat in May 2003, following the confirmation of a case of mad cow disease, or scientifically known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Before the ban, Korea was Canada's fourth-largest beef export market, valued at $50 million in 2002. Read more here