June 25, 2007

Japan, US to hold meetings over American beef imports this week
 

Japan and the US will hold a two-day technical meeting on American beef imports this week, officials said Monday (Jun 25), amid expectations the talks may pave the way for easing Japan's strict import restrictions.

Officials from the two countries will meet Wednesday and Thursday in Tokyo, according to a press release by the Japanese Health and Agriculture Ministries.

Japan only allows imports of US beef from cattle 20 months old or younger, because mad cow disease has not been detected in meat from young cattle, although the US has called for that restriction to be eased.

In May, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) ruled that the United States was a "controlled risk nation" - all countries that can export beef irrespective of the animal's age. The US has cited that report in urging Japan to review its policy.

During the two-day closed talks, Washington will submit the data it provided to the animal health organisation and Tokyo will examine it, Agriculture Ministry official Toshio Katagai said.

Earlier this month, Japan announced that it found no safety problems at the dozens of US meatpacking facilities it inspected in May.

Japan banned American beef imports in December 2003 after the first case of mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, was found in the US.

The ban was eased in December 2005, but tightened again the following month after prohibited spinal bones were found in a veal shipment.

Tokyo eased the restrictions again last July, but allowed only meat from cows 20 months old or younger to enter Japan. Japan also bans meat with certain bone or spinal material attached.