July 27, 2004

 

 

Japan May Resume U.S. Beef Imports This Year
 

The ministries of agriculture and health in Japan are leaning toward reaching an agreement with Washington this fall to resume suspended imports of U.S. beef, sources said Monday.

 

The imports were halted last December following a case of mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), in the United States.

 

If the talks prove successful, imports could resume by the end of the year.

 

The resumption of imports hinges on changing the rules for the way Japan conducts BSE tests. A possible consumer backlash to the move may also delay the resumption of imports, sources said.

 

Senior officials from the two countries are set to discuss the issue at a meeting scheduled for August, as well as another in September or later.

 

The two countries have been at loggerheads over Japan's insistence that blanket tests be conducted on all head of cattle bound for Japanese tables, just as in Japan. Washington has maintained that such tests are unnecessary.

 

In recent weeks, however, the government has shifted toward exempting young cattle, though the exact age has yet to be decided.

 

The farm and health ministries plan to hold a meeting with consumers on Aug. 4 to exchange views on the issue.

 

If officials determine the public sees little risk of contracting BSE from young cattle, steps will be taken to resume imports.

 

The two ministries would then have to reach agreement on setting a cutoff age and change ministerial rules governing the testing.

 

If the Food Safety Commission approves, the government will hold bureau-chief-level meetings with the United States again to make the import resumption official.

 

At issue is where to draw the line for exempting cattle from testing.

 

Cattle as young as 21 and 23 months old have been confirmed infected with BSE in Japan.

 

For this reason, officials expect consumers to protest if the line is drawn at 30 months, as Washington has requested.

 

On the other side, the United States would likely complain the Japanese criterion is too strict if Tokyo draws the line at 20 months, sources said.

 

Also, consumer groups may also protest relaxed restrictions on the testing of domestic cattle.

 

It is not clear where the food commission will come down on the age issue, sources said.

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