Japan, U.S. Plan To Talk Of Easing Import Of Beef
TOKYO - Japan and the U.S. will hold a two-day technical meeting on U.S. beef imports, officials said Monday, amid expectations the talks may pave the way for easing Japan's strict import restrictions.
26 June 2007
1 minute read
Officials from the two countries will meet Wednesday and Thursday in Tokyo, according to a press release by the Japanese Health and Agriculture Ministries.
Japan only allows imports of U.S. beef from cattle 20 months old or younger, because the mad cow disease has not been detected in meat from young cattle - although the U.S. has called for that restriction to be eased.
In May, the World Organization for Animal Health ruled that the United States was a "controlled risk nation" - all countries that can export beef irrespective of the animal's age. The U.S. has cited that report in urging Japan to review its policy.
