Japan edges closer to easing ban on U.S. beef
Last Updated Tue, 08 Feb 2005 15:25:16 EST
CBC News
TOKYO - Japan has moved a step closer to partially lifting the ban it imposed 14 months ago on U.S. beef imports.
A government panel said on Tuesday it accepts American assurances that U.S. grade A40 beef, which comes primarily from cattle aged 12 to 17 months, is free of bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE.
The panel agreed that using a grading system that determines the age of cattle by looking at the maturity of their skeletons would effectively ensure meat from animals older than 20 months does not enter Japan.
"The U.S. researchers came up with highly reliable data," panel chairman Akihiro Okitani told reporters.
Okitani said it's up to the Japanese government to decide whether to lift the import ban.
It's unclear how quickly that will happen. An official in the Agriculture Ministry's international animal and health affairs office said the panel's recommendations will be considered by Japan's Food Safety Committee.
While the recommendations were welcomed by the U.S. ambassador, they drew swift criticism from Japanese consumer groups.
"This conclusion was made politically and hastily in response to the American demand that we resume beef imports from the United States," said Yasuaki Yamaura, a senior official of the Consumers Union of Japan.
Before the ban was imposed, Japan was the most lucrative overseas market for U.S. beef, with imports worth $1.7 billion US in 2003.
Japan banned Canadian beef imports in May 2003.
Notice the remark about the US demanding the border open. I guess when the US tells you to jump, you jump.
Last Updated Tue, 08 Feb 2005 15:25:16 EST
CBC News
TOKYO - Japan has moved a step closer to partially lifting the ban it imposed 14 months ago on U.S. beef imports.
A government panel said on Tuesday it accepts American assurances that U.S. grade A40 beef, which comes primarily from cattle aged 12 to 17 months, is free of bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE.
The panel agreed that using a grading system that determines the age of cattle by looking at the maturity of their skeletons would effectively ensure meat from animals older than 20 months does not enter Japan.
"The U.S. researchers came up with highly reliable data," panel chairman Akihiro Okitani told reporters.
Okitani said it's up to the Japanese government to decide whether to lift the import ban.
It's unclear how quickly that will happen. An official in the Agriculture Ministry's international animal and health affairs office said the panel's recommendations will be considered by Japan's Food Safety Committee.
While the recommendations were welcomed by the U.S. ambassador, they drew swift criticism from Japanese consumer groups.
"This conclusion was made politically and hastily in response to the American demand that we resume beef imports from the United States," said Yasuaki Yamaura, a senior official of the Consumers Union of Japan.
Before the ban was imposed, Japan was the most lucrative overseas market for U.S. beef, with imports worth $1.7 billion US in 2003.
Japan banned Canadian beef imports in May 2003.
Notice the remark about the US demanding the border open. I guess when the US tells you to jump, you jump.