May 3 2010

Japan resumes beef exports only to Hong Kong

Japan has continued to export beefs only to Hong Kong following their suspension last week after foot-and-mouth disease was found in cows in Miyazaki Prefecture, the farm ministry said Friday (Apr 30).

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries decided on the move as Hong Kong agreed to accept Japan's beef on condition that it is produced outside the areas where the movement and removal of livestock are restricted.

Hong Kong is the second-largest importer next to Vietnam of Japanese beef, with Japan's beef exports to Hong Kong totalling 112 tonnes in 2009.

On April 20, the ministry suspended beef exports after cases of foot-and-mouth disease were discovered in some cows in the town of Tsuno, Miyazaki Prefecture.