Indonesia bans some US beef after mad cow outbreak

Updated 26 April 2012, 19:11 AEST

Indonesia has suspended imports of some types of US beef following a confirmed case of mad cow disease in California.

Two major South Korean retailers suspended the sale of US beef on Wednesday after an outbreak of mad cow disease. [Reuters] 

Video: Mad cow disease reported in US

But the partial ban will only have a limited impact with mayor buyers saying they would continue to import US beef.
Agriculture Ministry officials said boned meat, gelatin from bones and innards shipped from April 24 will be forbidden. Boneless meat will still be allowed into Indonesia, Vice-Agriculture Minister Rusman Heriawan said.
The partial ban will be lifted once the US provides scientific evidence to guarantee that its meat and meat products are safe for human consumption, officials said.
Mr Heriawan said US beef is mainly used by hotels and high-end restaurants. Indonesia also imports beef from Australia, New Zealand and Canada, as well as live Australian cattle.
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