Following talks held in Tokyo on Saturday (October 23) between the United States Government (USG) and the Government of Japan (GOJ), it was agreed that trade of beef between the two countries will resume. The governments discussed domestic measures in place for testing cattle for BSE and decided that two-way trade in beef can recommence under certain conditions.

The conditions laid down by Japan remain strict, as the GOJ banned imports of US beef following an outbreak of BSE in the United States The import/export of specified risk materials, such as bovine heads (excluding tongues and cheek meat), is banned and such items must be removed before export. The US government will also have to verify that all cattle are below 21 months old, as the disease has not been detected in young cattle up to this age.

Further clarification of the details will be required before the first exports are shipped; it is, nonetheless, a positive step forward for the two countries involved. Japanese and American scientists will also collaborate in an attempt to gain a better understanding of the disease.

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