Japan yesterday announced the resumption of US beef imports, ending a ban imposed in January due to concerns about mad cow disease and removing a strain in relations with Washington.
The US ambassador immediately welcomed the move, which reopens Japan's lucrative market to a select list of US meat exporters, saying that it resolved an issue of primary importance to the US.
"We are pleased that Japanese auditors and officials have found our process to be sound, and we are proud that our system is scientifically based and exceeds internationals standards," a statement from Ambassador Thomas Schieffer said.
PHOTO: AFP
The ban was imposed when Japanese inspectors checking a veal shipment found banned parts believed to be at risk for the illness. It was lifted after Japanese representatives toured US facilities to ensure they met safety guidelines.
Health Minister Jiro Kawasaki announced the lifting of the ban after the Agriculture Ministry's mad cow advisory committee approved a resumption in imports.
"We think it is possible to guarantee safety so long as the US observes its export program to Japan," Kawasaki said. "We strongly hope that the US will ensure compliance with the export program."
Japanese inspectors on Sunday returned from a monthlong tour of 35 facilities in the US to evaluate whether they comply with safeguards against mad cow disease. Japan requested the tour in June as a condition for its agreement in principle to resume imports.
Kawasaki said the inspectors found no problems at 20 of the 35 facilities. Thirteen of the 15 facilities with problems had made sufficient improvements by yesterday to be eligible for export to Japan, he said.
Of the remaining pair, one facility will be kept under close surveillance while the other's exports will not be allowed in Japan, he said.
The Health Ministry will also monitor how well the US observes its export verification program over the next six months, according to a ministry statement. There are no plans to add more facilities to the list of those approved for export to Japan, it said.
Under an agreement between the countries, all US beef shipped to Japan must come from cattle less than 20 months old, and no brain or spinal material can be included because the disease can be carried in that tissue.
Shipments from the 34 approved plants are likely to arrive in Japan in two weeks if shipped by sea, according to Kyodo News agency.
Japan was a huge consumer of US beef before 2003, when it imposed a ban over concerns about possible mad cow disease -- formally known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy among US cattle.
The ban was lifted late last year, only to be reimposed in January after inspectors found prohibited animal parts in a veal shipment from New York.
In 2003, Japan bought about US$1.4 billion worth, about 10 percent of US beef sales. Some US senators have threatened sanctions unless imports are restarted within weeks.
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