Poland has become the first country to lift its ban on the importation of certain US beef products, the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Services has advised. The development means imports of edible beef, beef product and tripe will now be allowed into the country, provided it is accompanied by special permits issued by the USDA Chief Veterinary Officer.
Though Poland is not a significant taker of US beef, importing less than $200,000 worth in 2002, the US hopes the move will open the door to other countries doing the same. Dozens of countries have banned the import of US beef since the country’s first case of BSE was diagnosed last month. Japan is the largest importer of US beef, having imported around $800 million in 2002 and US agriculture and health officials were in Tokyo this week trying to persuade the country to rescind its ban.
