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S. Korean cattle breeders protest US beef

A South Korean cattle farmer on the back of a cow shouts a slogan during a rally against U.S. beef imports near the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007. Last week South Korea found banned bones in a U.S. beef shipment for third time this month and plans to send the entire shipment back to the United States. (AP Photo/Yonhap, Lee Sang-hack)

Cattle Network 9/18/2007

S. Korean Cattle Breeders Protest U.S. Beef

Source: Tom Johnston on 9/18/2007 for Meatingplace.com

Some 7,000 South Korean cattle farmers converged near the National Assembly in Seoul on Tuesday to protest the government’s pending free-trade agreement with the United States.

South Korea passed the pact to parliament for approval on Sept. 7, the Agency France Presse reported.

The demonstrators, largely members of the Korea Beef Associations, shouted "Stop U.S. beef imports" as they denounced the government for potentially allowing unlimited imports of U.S. beef in an effort to ratify the pact.

Both the U.S. Congress and South Korea’s National Assembly must sign off on the deal. U.S. lawmakers have said they will reject it unless Seoul fully reopens its market to U.S. beef.

Farmers and activists have periodically protested the free-trade accord during its 10-month negotiation process, but most opinion polls indicate a majority of South Koreans support it, according to AFP

Cattle farmers hold a performance symbolizing a funeral service for South Korean cattle during a rally denouncing U.S. beef imports and U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement (FTA) talks near the National Assembly in Seoul September 18, 2007. REUTERS/Jo Yong-Hak
Cattle farmers shout slogans during a rally denouncing U.S. beef imports and U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement (FTA) talks near the National Assembly in Seoul September 18, 2007. REUTERS/Jo Yong-Hak
A cattle farmer takes part in a rally denouncing U.S. beef imports and U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement (FTA) talks near the National Assembly in Seoul September 18, 2007. The letters read, "Oppose desperately" REUTERS/Jo Yong-Hak
 source: Cattle Network
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