A US beef producer’s attempt to restart exports to Japan has fallen foul of both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Until last December’s case of mad cow disease, Japan was a major importer of U.S. beef, but recently the country agreed to resume buying beef from Creekstone Farms Premium Beef of Kansas, on condition that each animal would be tested for the disease. Accordingly, Creekstone established a testing facility alongside its slaughter line, intending that the $20 cost of each test would be borne by the sale of tongue, liver and other specialty cuts to Japan at premium prices.

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