August 20, 2012
Japan delays resumption of beef exports to US
Following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Miyazaki Prefecture in April 2010, Japan has decided to postpone the resumption of beef exports to the US.
US-bound Japanese beef exports were planned to resume as early as Saturday (Aug 18), but Washington has asked Tokyo to explain the possible impact on beef of the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant and the situation regarding inspections.
The US continues to recognise Japan as free of foot-and-mouth disease and is expected to approve the resumption of exports after confirming beef has not been contaminated with radioactive materials, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said.
