Canada calls for setup of WTO panel on S. Korea's beef ban

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- Canada has called on the World Trade Organization to
set up a dispute settlement panel to deal with South Korea's ban on its beef, the
government here said Friday.

Seoul has banned Canadian beef imports since May 2003 after the country reported
its first case of mad cow disease.
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said Ottawa formally
requested the establishment of the panel on Thursday. The panel can take action
that can compel a country to change its policies or authorize punitive measures.
South Korea and Canada have been engaged in bilateral talks for several years to
resolve the beef issue but have made little headway.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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