July 22, 2011

Japan ships in more beef amid health fears

Japan's beef imports rose by 11% from this time last year, mainly because of health fears connected to the fallout from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Japan imported 204,543 tonnes of beef in the five months ended May 31, an increase of 11% from the same period last year, according to Japan's agriculture ministry. Much of that jump is made up of imports from the US.

Japan's government said on Wednesday (Jul 20) it cannot rule out the possibility that beef contaminated with radioactive material has been exported, as consumers and lawmakers accused authorities of negligence on food safety.

The Japanese authorities have imposed a ban on beef shipments from areas near Fukushima after finding 637 cattle were fed hay containing radioactive cesium. Supermarkets including Japan's biggest, Aeon Co, said the beef was sold in Tokyo and other cities.

Japan is not a primary market for Irish beef, but food and drink exports are more encouraging.

The growth of exports of Irish food and beverages to Japan in the first six months of 2011 more than doubled compared to the same period last year, reaching more than EUR12 million (US$17.3 million).

The Irish Ambassador to Japan, John Neary, said "This increase underlines the importance of Japan as a market for Irish food and beverages and highlights the potential for further growth."