Prior to the latest domestic BSE find in Alabama, South Korea was expected to resume beef trade with the United States by March. Now it is expected to be another few months before a decision is made.
Agriculture Ministry spokesman Lee Yang-ho says the first shipment of U.S. beef could arrive in South Korea around June.
South Korean officials are examining the records of the Alabama case. A fact finding team may be sent to the United States next week to confirm findings of the epidemiological investigation. Another team may be sent in May to examine the 33 processing plants approved for exporting beef to South Korea.