Gov`t criticized for slow response to US beef scare

Six days have passed since the latest case of mad cow disease was discovered in California, the U.S., but the Korean government faces heavy criticism over its slow response to the situation.

The government has yet to hold an animal quarantine committee meeting, which under law is responsible for the establishment and revision of imported beef quarantine measures. It is under growing criticism for stepping up its assurance of the safety of American beef from a scientific perspective despite lingering public skepticism over the safety of the meat.

According to the Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry on Monday, the animal quarantine committee meeting will be held following the return of an inspection team from U.S. meat-packing factories May 9. This means the meeting will be held 15 days after the discovery of the disease.

When fragments of bone were found in U.S. beef on Oct. 6, 2007, the committee after a meeting decided to immediately suspend quarantine of all American beef and requested an explanation from the U.S.

The government held a brief meeting with committee members April 25. The schedule was notified at noon, an hour ahead of the meeting, with just eight of the 20 members participating.

Reflecting the opinions of attending members, the ministry opted not to suspend quarantine inspections, which further ignited public criticism.

A civil servant known to have worked at a government agency when public outrage over American beef peaked in 2008 said, "I recommended the suspension of quarantine inspections to quell public fear, but my opinion wasn`t reflected."

nuk@donga.com