February 1, 2006

More than 2,000 tonnes of US beef in Japanese customs under new ban

Japanese customs warehouses are stocked with more than 2,000 tonnes of US beef since the renewed import ban, reported an industry official on Jan 31.

Japan banned imports of US beef again on Jan 20 after a shipment arrived in Japan with spinal bones in it. Japan views these bones to be a risk for mad cow disease.

Tatsuo Iwama, executive director of Japan Meat Traders Association, said 1,380 tonnes of US beef products have been held up at Japanese ports since the renewed ban. The total amount of US beef products piled up at Japanese posts could reach as much as 2,300 tonnes, including those imported by companies outside the association's 17 US beef importers. 

He said the cost for the importers could be as much as JPY 2 billion or US$17 million. Most of the imports were high quality chilled beef, with the expiry date due within two months, he added.

The association plans to ask the government to help the importers arrange for the US exporters to take the shipments back and cover the entire cost. Iwama said since the problem was caused by the US side, they would like the US exporters to take care of the cost.

Japanese customs inspector Koichi Tsunokami said goods subject to import suspension are usually returned to senders, sent to a third country or disposed of. This is to save importers storage fees on unwanted goods.

Tsunokami added that when Japan banned US beef products in 2003, most Japanese importers shipped them back to exporters or burned them at their own expense.