February 9, 2006

Japan to push US for stricter feed rules

To halt the spread of mad cow disease, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Wednesday that he will consider demanding that the US prohibit chicken and pig feed from using bone meal feed containing certain cattle parts, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its Thursday morning edition.

Koizumi's comments came in response to questioning by Democratic Party of Japan member Hiroshi Kawauchi during a lower house Budget Committee session.

The US has prohibited the use of cattle feed containing bone meal from cattle. But droppings from chickens and other animals that have themselves eaten bone meal feed can still be used in such products for cattle.

Kawauchi called on the prime minister to directly ask the US to end the use of bone meal in chicken and pig feed.

"It is important to accurately communicate with and warn the US government using specific examples," Koizumi replied.