June 14, 2007

Japan to end inspections on US beef

Japan will stop checking 100 percent of US beef cargoes which was deemed a time-consuming and costly process, a farm ministry official said today.

Takashi Himeda, director of Consumers Information of the Japanese Agriculture Ministry, however, said nothing had been decided to review its bilateral safety guidelines on US beef exports to Japan.

The development was initiated following Japan's clearance on all 28 US meat packers last week. The inspection was one of Japan's requirements to entirely lift the restrictions on US beef.

Japan first eased the ban in late 2005 but on condition that the meat only come from cattle that was aged 20 months or younger, a rule that has greatly restricted the volume of US beef supplies to Japan.

The US is pushing for the age limit to be raised to up to 30 months, in line with global standards.

Tokyo, on pressure by Washington to ease its regulations, remains firm on its stand that beef conditions can only be reconsidered after more thorough reviews have been completed.

Himeda said Tokyo was waiting for Washington to take the next step.