Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

Japan to Ease Restrictions on U.S. Beef Imports Next Month

Japan to Allow U.S Beef Cattle Up to 30-Months Old

By , Farms.com

Japan announced that it will be relaxing restrictions on U.S. beef imports starting Feb. 1, 2013 - after authorities said that the change wouldn’t pose health risks.

Prior to the mad-cow disease case in 2003, Japan was the biggest buyer of U.S beef and in 2005 it lifted a two-year ban on beef as a precautionary measure. When the ban was lifted in 2005, Japan only took beef from cattle that were 20-months old and the recent announcement would have them accept beef from cattle up to 30-months of age.

The recent shift in regulations will likely pave the way for reform before negotiations are over for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact. 


Trending Video

Benefits Uses and Recipes for Fermented Foods

Video: Benefits Uses and Recipes for Fermented Foods

Fermentation has been used for thousands of years, long before refrigeration existed. Today, especially in a time of rising food costs, consumers are looking for ways to save money and prevent waste through extending the life of their food purchases. Fermented foods also offer more ways to improve gut health, support local food production, and promote increased consumption of fruits and vegetables.