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 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.
       Korea’s Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries says it is ready to confront the case with a valid argument. But it has expressed willingness to make efforts to reach an agreement through continued discussions in the middle of the litigation.
       The Korean government has stressed that public sentiment over the safety of Canadian beef is standing as a major challenge in Korea’s efforts to remove the import ban.
       Canada first requested WTO consultations with Korea on April 9. But consultations held on May 7 did not result in a resolution.
       The WTO panel will be asked to determine whether Korea’s continued ban on Canadian beef is consistent with its international trade obligations under the WTO.
       In May 2007, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) officially categorized Canada as a "Controlled Risk" country for BSE, recognizing the effectiveness of Canada’s surveillance, mitigation and eradication measures. The OIE reconfirmed this categorization in May of 2008 and 2009. The "Controlled Risk" categorization allows for the safe trade in all beef and cattle under conditions that Canada can meet, according to Ottawa. Canada currently exports its beef to 55 countries, on the condition that specified risk materials are removed.
       Source: Micausa.org (August 20, 2009).