U.S. Resumes Beef Imports From Japan [Aug 24, 2012]

Aug 24, 2012

Two- Year Ban on Japanese Beef Lifted

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has given its stamp of approval for Japanese beef to re-enter the United States. Beef exports from Japan to the U.S. were halted after a two year period where Japan was managing a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that occurred in April 2010.

The USDA has carefully reviewed Japan’s food safety measures - looking not only at disease prevention but also their food safety precautions with regards to radioactive contamination. This is major concern especially after the Fukushima nuclear crisis that occurred in Japan last year.

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture made a review of our radiation safety measures and gave a nod to it, so the timing to slaughter for exports remains unchanged," the official said.

The bulk of the beef that is exported from Japan is Wagyu, which is a type of genetically predisposed beef with intense marbling and have higher yields of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Figures from 2009 exports show that Japan exported 565 tons of beef to the U.S. with a value of $13.74 million.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.