November 14, 2007

Japan promises tough fight in US beef negotiations

The Japanese government promised Tuesday (November 14, 2007) it would not give in unconditionally to US demands to repeal the age limit on US beef imports.

Japan limits US beef imports to meat coming from cattle aged 20 months or younger due to fears of mad cow disease.

Cabinet members confirmed the policy ahead of a meeting Friday in Washington between Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and US President George W. Bush, where Bush is expected to press the beef issue.

The Cabinet ministers reaffirmed that the government should decide whether to lift the age limit based on "scientific evidence".

The US has been pressuring Japan and South Korea to lift its restrictions on US beef, particularly after the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reclassified the US as a region under "controlled risk" from mad cow disease.

Japan is showing signs of relenting after months of negotiations between both sides.