Seoul | Reuters — South Korea is likely to allow certain levels of the animal feed additive zilpaterol in beef from mid-July, a food ministry official said on Monday, delaying by one month the lifting of a ban on the growth enhancing drug.
South Korea had said in April it would ease its zero-tolerance policy on zilpaterol-based drugs, such as Merck’s Zilmax, from June.
Son Seong-wan, a director at the food ministry, told Reuters the delay was made upon China’s request. It was not immediately clear why China had asked for the extension, he added. South Korea does not import beef from China, and is a major client of Australia, the U.S. and New Zealand.
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“The final announcement is expected to be made around July 17 after internally examining any feedback that we get during the notice period,” Son said, adding that the notice period would end on June 17.
The feed additive has been under global scrutiny since a video emerged in the U.S. showing animals struggling to walk and with other signs of distress after taking a growth drug.
South Korea suspended some U.S. beef imports for more than two months last year after traces of zilpaterol were found in two shipments. [Related story]
Many other Asian and European countries also ban the additive due to concerns about its side effects.
Son said South Korea was likely to allow imports of beef muscle with one part per billion (ppb) of zilpaterol and five ppb in beef liver.
— Reporting for Reuters by Meeyoung Cho in Seoul.
