About half of pork imports to Korea are from the United States, Mexico and Canada, where cases of swine influenza have been reported. Shipments will be subject to a stricter set of tests.
Despite health authorities' assurances, the shipments may face a boycott by Korean consumers. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that pork is swine flu-free when treated at 71 degrees Celsius or above.
According to agriculture officials, Korea imported a total of 339,990 tons of pork for $876 million last year. The U.S. shipments topped the list with about 106,400 tons for $253 million. Canada came in second with 59,400 tons or $127 million.
The Mexican shipments amounted to 2,012 tons or $69 million. The North American shipments totaled 168,000 tons.
Considering total pork consumption reached 930,000 tons, the imports accounted for 37 percent.
An official from a pig farmers' association said, ``We fear a general contraction in pork consumption. It wouldn't be limited to imported pork but is likely to sweep the pork market as a whole.''
In order to boost safety on imported pork, the government has decided to check all pork shipments from the affected areas for swine influenza. The countries of origin that are up for strengthened tests are the U.S., Mexico and Canada. All pigs that are imported for breeding purposes are subject to examinations irrespective of their countries of origin.
Previously, imported meats underwent checks upon arrival and were transported for another simple set of tests at distribution points. Being checked were the existence of synthetic antibiotics and other harmful ``environmental hormones.'' But at this stage, only 10 percent of imports were sampled for random examination.
The remaining 90 percent went through testing by documentation and a look-through for visible signs of decomposition. Shipments flagged would be sent back to the exporting country or destroyed.