South Korea lifts temporary suspension of Canadian beef imports

South Korea has lifted its temporary suspension of Canadian beef imports.

The suspension was imposed in December, after an atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was identified in Alberta.

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau calls it “great news for our cattle sector, who provide the world with safe, high-quality beef.”

CCA appreciates all of the work done to have the temporary export suspension to South Korea lifted as soon as it was. Expanding and maintaining access to diverse markets is our top trade priority. https://t.co/l6hb0tgDXe

— Canadian Cattle Association (@CanCattle) January 19, 2022

The regulations in some countries do not differentiate between atypical and typical BSE, so when a case occurs, they need a little more time and information before returning to trade-as-usual.

China and the Phillipines are the only other countries to suspend Canadian beef imports since the December case.

Atypical BSE happens sporadically in cattle populations, and there is no evidence to suggest this form is transmissible.