November 3, 2005

Japan to inspect US meat processing plants, cattle herds

Japan will be inspecting US meat processing plants and possibly, live cattle herds too, to ensure that traceability for mad cow disease is adequate.

It will be the first time Japan has inspected the processing plants of another country.

Earlier, Japan's Food Safety Commission adopted a draft report that may very well result in the Japanese beef market opening to the US again.

Even after imports are resumed, the Japanese government will dispatch inspectors to check for meat from cows whose ages are unknown or those that are from at-risk animal parts.

The inspectors are likely to leave for the US early December. If the safety of US beef could be confirmed, US beef imports into Japan may very well resume by year-end.