May 24, 2007

Japan's regulations on US beef remain despite OIE's decision

Japan will still adhere to its strict regulations on US beef despite a positive ruling by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) regarding age restrictions, its government said Wednesday (May 23).

The OIE has granted the United States a "controlled risk nation" a category that means countries should be able to export beef regardless of the animal's age if parts of the animal thought to be a possible risk, particularly of mad cow disease, are removed.

Japan currently allows imports of US beef only from cattle younger than 20 months as mad cow disease is believed to affect older animals. The US has called an ease for that restriction.

However, Japan is not to easily revise its policy on US beef, according to the government.

US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns urged countries that import US beef to review their policies after the decision in Paris. The US will use the ruling as an international validation to reopen its markets for full spectrum of US cattle and beef products.

Japanese officials have been inspecting US meatpackers that export beef to Japan to evaluate their compliance with restrictions Tokyo imposed over mad cow disease concerns.

Japan banned imports of American beef in December 2003 after the first case of mad cow disease was found in the US but was partially lifted in December 2005. It was again tightened the following month after prohibited spinal bones were found in a veal shipment. Last July, Tokyo has allowed meat from cows 20 months old or younger to enter the Japanese markets.

The OIE determines safety regulations for global livestock production and during the meeting in Paris last Tuesday (May 22), it declared that US is taking measures to reduce the risk of an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or commonly known as mad cow disease, hence, its "controlled risk" decision.  

OIE's authorisation, however, are not legally enforceable which was Japan's basis for sticking on its rules.

A final verdict will be made Friday (May 25), the last day of general meeting.