April 17, 2006

Japan may file intellectual property rights for Wagyu cattle

Japan may file intellectual property rights for the genes of four breeds of Japanese cattle to protect the product from mixed-breed imports, an official said Friday.

Wagyu beef is a highly prized premium beef known in fine-dining circles. Wagyu meat such as the famous "Kobe beef'' is noted for its tenderness, due to its thick streaks of fat. 

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries would soon set out the definitions as to what could be termed Wagyu beef, said Masaaki Iino of the ministry's agricultural production bureau.

Both the government and livestock industry are considering such protections to uphold the quality associated with Japanese beef, Iino said.

Only cattle from one of four breeds designated under the Japan Agricultural Standard Law are considered Wagyu, Iino said.

The protections being considered might prevent cattle from being sold as Wagyu in Japan if they are crossed with other types. Both US and Australian producers have bought Wagyu cattle to produce mixed-breeds which would be sold as Wagyu beef in international markets. 

Earlier this month, Australian Agricultural Co bought a herd of Wagyu herd at approximately AUS$10 million (US$7 million) with an option to acquire part of the assets after 2006.