Japan allows imports of U.S. beef only from cattle not more than 20 months old, citing concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy, which is believed to be more likely to affect older animals. The U.S. wants that restriction eased.

The World Organization for Animal Health recently said the United States was a "controlled risk nation," a category that means countries can export beef irrespective of the animal's age, according to Toshio Katagai, a health ministry official.

The organization's decision was reached at a meeting in Paris to discuss the safety of animal products.

However, Japan will not immediately revise its policy on U.S. beef, the government said May 23.

Source: High Plains Journal