South Korean Vice Agriculture Minister Lee Myung-soo said Japan's decision on last Friday to halt imports of American beef will not directly affect Seoul's decision of resuming imports of U.S. beef, reported the Yonhap News Agency Monday.

South Korea earlier this month reached an agreement with the United States on resuming importation of U.S. beef without bones from late March.

Seoul imposed the ban in late 2003 after a case of mad cow disease was discovered in the United States.

Meat products such as intestines and brain marrow are considered to pose the greatest risk of transmitting mad cow disease, which has been reported to cause the brain-wasting Creutzfeldt-Jakob syndrome in humans.

"The possibility of such products coming into the country is small to begin with," Lee said. He added that safety details will be discussed in future talks with the United States to prevent such occurrences.

In addition to the steps to reduce health concerns, Seoul plans to raise transparency regarding beef circulated in the country.

The official said that by 2008, there will be a nationwide system in place for checking the background of all cattle, from birth to butchering.

Other rules that will go into affect next year will make it mandatory for all restaurants with over 300 square meters of floor space to notify customers about the kind of beef they are serving.

Source: Xinhua