Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 11/1/13

South Korea is set to lift a ban on zilpaterol next year, according to media reports quoting a senior food ministry official.

Son Seong-wan, director of livestock products standard division, told reporters a government risk assessment found that the feed additive, known by Merck brand name Zilmax, is safe at certain levels.
The move would open the door to beef imports that contain the drug and also allow its domestic sale.

Earlier this month, Seoul suspended imports of beef from a JBS USA plant that had shipped product containing the currently banned drug.

Taiwan, among other Asian countries that have a zero-tolerance stance against Zilmax, more recently put the brakes on beef from a U.S. exporter that did the same.

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