September 6, 2004

BSE Report May Affect Japan's Cattle Test Policy

A draft report by a panel of experts in Japan on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has been revised to state that the disease is difficult to detect in cattle 20 months old or younger.

If the changed report is adopted, it could alter Japan's policy of testing cattle of all ages for BSE.

The panel has been reviewing measures taken to prevent the spread of BSE through working under the government Food Safety Commission.

Blanket testing of cattle of all ages has been in place since the country's first case was confirmed in September 2001.

The health and farm ministries will consider consumer opinions before deciding whether to change the policy.

In July, the panel drafted a report that said exempting young cattle from testing would not increase the risk of people becoming infected.

That report, however, did not specify the age of cattle that could be exempted.

Japan has been under pressure from the United States to resume U.S. beef imports, which have been suspended since a BSE case was reported in the United States late last year. Japan has insisted the United States implement safeguards similar to those in Japan.

The panel's revised report cites a survey of more than 3 million cattle subjected to blanket testing, in which the youngest animal found to be infected was 21 months old.

The July draft said that the risk to people will not increase even if young cattle are excluded from the blanket testing. However, all risky organs have to be removed for all slaughtered cattle, including young animals.