December 27, 2005

Japan satisfied with North American beef import conditions

Japan's government said a delegation that inspected US and Canadian meatpackers earlier this month, has found that conditions for resuming beef imports have been met.

Experts from Japan had earlier inspected a total of 15 meat facilities in both countries, soon after the country's ban on North American beef due to mad cow disease was lifted.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare agreed that the facilities complied with Japanese requirements, including cattle age at the time of slaughter and removal of specified risk materials.

Both ministries said they would send inspectors to the US and Canada again in January.