October 12, 2006

Philippines lifts ban on Japanese beef

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the ban on imports of Japanese live cattle, sheep and goats and their meat.

Japanese beef imports into the Philippines must come from cattle less than 30 months of age. The beef should be derived from healthy, ambulatory and not downer cattle born and grown in Japan. Shipments of Japanese beef to the Philippines must not include nerves or other BSE specified risk materials. The slaughter of the cattle and the cutting and packing of the beef must be done in a meat facility used exclusively for cattle less than 30 month of age. The beef should not at any time come into contact with beef derived from cattle older than 30 months.

The slaughter and packing date must also be indicated in the packaging label. Any beef shipments from Japan not complying with these conditions will be confiscated by the DA Veterinary Quarantine Inspectors.