An official of the European Commission said Friday the European Union, despite its plummeting beef market in the wake of the mad cow disease scare, has no plans to send beef to famine-stricken North Korea.

The official noted that the EU has shifted its aid focus for North Korea from food donations to the restructuring of its agricultural system.

The official declined to comment on whether the provision of surplus EU beef by Germany and Switzerland was viable.

The shipment of the beef to North Korea, if it occurs, will likely trigger heated ethical debates, as observers note that due to the limitations of the current inspection process, there is no way to be sure the beef is untainted by the deadly disease.

The Netherlands cancelled a plan to provide pork to North Korea in 1997 after cholera spread among its pig population, giving rise to fears that the disease could spread to South Korea.