April 23, 2011

Thailand to recommence Japanese beef imports

Thailand has made up its mind to recommence imports of Japanese beef, which have been halted because of safety concerns since last April's epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease in Miyazaki Prefecture, according to the Japan's farm ministry on Friday (Apr 22).

On the other hand, an early reinstatement of beef shipments seems to be tough as Thailand is requesting Japan for certificates of origin for Japanese food products because of concern over radiation leakages coming from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, caused by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

After Japanese beef imports began in October 2009, Thailand imported only 50 kilogrammes before stopping imports in the previous year due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

Singapore, Macao, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates have so far come to a consensus to recommence Japanese beef imports after implementing suspensions because of the livestock disease.