February 6, 2006

Japan considers sending beef inspectors to US

Japan may send inspectors to US meat processing and packing facilities before it decides to resume importing American beef again, according to Japan's agriculture minister.

The country banned US beef again last month after a veal shipment was discovered to contain spinal material. Japan views the material to be a risk for mad cow disease.

The minister said that Japan will take extra measures to make consumers confident about the safety of US beef again.

According to US officials, their investigation into the ineligible shipment should be completed and presented to the Japanese government in about a week.