July 26, 2010
Japan, US may resume talks on beef imports
Japan's farm minister Masahiko Yamada and US ambassador to Japan John Roos discussed Friday (Jul 23) when to restart bilateral talks on relaxing Japan's curbs on US beef imports, ministry officials said.
At the start of the meeting, Yamada was quoted as telling Roos that the US "is the biggest exporter of agricultural products to Japan and is the most important country for Japan." Roos responded that the bilateral partnership in the field of agriculture is also very important for the US.
Meeting Yamada for the first time, Roos said he realised Japan was dealing a foot-and-mouth outbreak, but requested the two nations quickly progress to working-level talks on beef imports. Yamada replied that talks would be held once the outbreak has been dealt with. He added that a decision on US beef imports would be based on scientific knowledge.
Japan has limited beef imports from the US since the first US case of mad cow disease, formally known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, was discovered in 2003. Japan currently bans imports of US beef from cattle aged over 20 months. While Washington has been asking Tokyo to gradually soften the age rule, Tokyo has maintained a cautious stance on the issue.
Both countries are likely to work toward holding negotiation by autumn.
