May 10, 2007
Japan tests fail to show BSE infection from young cattle
Brain matter from BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy)-infected young cattle in Japan has been tested in mice but no infections have manifested, a Japanese health ministry official said on Wednesday (May 9).
Japanese scientists have used brain matter from the BSE-diagnosed cattle aged 21 months and 23 months and were subsequently slaughtered. The brain matter was injected into mice but did not show signs of developing the disease.
The Health Ministry official who refused to be named said the results proved the disease has not spread but did not specify when the tests started.
The test results could factor in Japan's trade talks with the United States, as Tokyo has restricted American beef imports to cattle aged 20 months or younger on grounds that the youngest case of the disease was found in a 21-month-old animal.
Washington is pressing Tokyo to raise the limit to up to 30 months, arguing this is in line with international standards.
The official said he expects the test results to be eventually presented to the Food Safety Commission, a panel of experts that assesses risk and makes policy recommendations.
The Japanese animals whose brain tissue was used for the experiment are believed to be some of the youngest cases of BSE found in cattle way back in 2003.
Animal health specialists believe older cattle are more likely to develop the brain-wasting disease.
Japan has banned beef from the US after it reported the first case of mad cow disease in December 2003.
While American beef has re-entered Japanese markets, beef sales have been slow in Japan due to a number of reasons including the restriction on the cattle's age.
The World Animal Health Organization is expected to give the United States a "controlled risk" rating later this month, a ruling Washington is expected to use to pressure Japan to further open its beef market.
Before the ban, Japan has bought US beef for US$1.4 billion in 2003 and was one the US' top beef destinations.
