Japan to relax restrictions on US beef imports

Japan is planning to lift restrictions on US beef imports in order to address the country’s low domestic cattle production following the nuclear disaster.

Japan imposed the ban in 2003 after an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), and has since restricted US beef imports of cattle aged 20 months or younger over concerns that older animals may be at higher risk for BSE.

The Japanese government is planning to lift the restriction by raising the age limit of cattle from the current 20 months or younger to 30 months or younger, according to ministry officials.

The new regulation will increase purchases from companies including Tyson Foods and Cargill, and contribute to President Barack Obama’s plan to double exports in five years and create more jobs.

On 27 July 2006, Japan, which was the largest export market for US beef before 2003, lifted the ban on beef imports of cattle aged 20 months and younger.