Hong Kong partially lifts 2-year-old ban on beef imported from United States

HONG KONG (AP) - Hong Kong said Thursday it has partially lifted a ban on U.S. beef imports that became effective two years ago following the discovery of mad cow disease in America. The decision, effective immediately, came about two weeks after Japan announced it would relax its ban on U.S. beef. South Korea, another big American trading partner, was also expected to end its embargo soon. Hong Kong said only boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months old could be imported to the city.

The animal's brain, spinal cord and other parts with a high-risk of mad cow disease must be removed during slaughtering, the government said.

"We will closely monitor the situation and review our import requirements as and when necessary," a government statement said.

The government said it decided to partially lift the ban after becoming satisfied with enhanced U.S. control measures against mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

The ban had been effective since Dec. 24, 2003, after mad cow disease was detected in a cow in Washington state that had been imported from Canada.

Hong Kong lifted its ban on Canadian beef last December.

© The Canadian Press, 2005