April 18, 2007

US may file complaint to WTO against Japan on beef dispute
 

The US is getting tough on its ongoing battle with Japan on beef trade by filing a complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on grounds of beef import restrictions.

The United States is deadest on filing a suit against Japan to the WTO if Japanese authorities fail to set a concrete deadline in relaxing its requirements for US beef going into the country, according to Japan's Kyodo news agency.

The report says the threat could put pressure on Tokyo ahead of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to the US for summit talks later this month.

Japan strict beef import measures state it will only accept beef from cattle aged up to 20 months and certain risk materials should be completely removed. The US says Japan should accept beef from animals up to 30 months, which is the international standard.