September 11, 2007

Japan keen on importing more Australian beef

Japan is keen on importing more beef from Australia but it first wants to settle issues of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) with US beef.

The interest was expressed by Japanese delegates during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Sydney last week. 

Foreign ministry spokesman Mitsuo Sakada says Japan wants to be more secure about US beef which has BSE before they can proceed with Australian beef imports.

The Australian Beef Association chairman Brad Bellinger says it is a disappointment if Japan is lumping Australia in with the Americans. He said Australia should be Japan's primary food trading partner as Australian beef is among the safest in the world.