October 7, 2010

Japan seeks FMD-free status from OIE

Japan formally requested the World Organisation for Animal health, OIE, to declare the country free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) so it can resume beef exports.

The country suffered an outbreak of FMD which forced the termination of 289,000 livestock.

Tokyo made the formal request a month and a half after authorities in Miyazaki, south of Japan, whose cattle herd is considered the best of the country, officially declared the end of the epidemics which started last April.

That same month Japan halted all beef exports, although later and following bilateral talks resumed shipments to Hong Kong and Macao. However exports to Singapore, Vietnam and the US remain frozen.

If OIE gives a positive reply, Japan will be declared free of FMD next February 2011, according to sources.

Besides having to sacrifice thousands of pigs and cattle, and some of the best bulls of the country, the preventive measures also imposed a ban on all cattle transport.

A total 1,250 farms had to undergo thorough disinfection and cleaning processes to ensure the eradication of the virus, 'O' strain, which is the commonest in Asia where the disease is endemic.

The disease also forced cancellation of many cultural and sports events plus the temporary closure of public establishments.

Japan in 2006 exported 74 tonnes of beef and 565 tonnes in 2009, mostly to Hong Kong and Vietnam.