Japanese Beef Import Ban Over Mad Cow Unlikely to Ease
Restrictions on import of U.S. beef into Japan, in place since 2003, are unlikely to ease under the new Japanese government, according to this report from Reuters.
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) picked up the reins of government on Wednesday in a coalition with two small parties, including the Social Democrats, which oppose both easing beef import rules and opening Japan to more farm imports.
The U.S. beef industry says it has lost some $10 billion in sales to Japan in the six years since Tokyo banned imports of American beef due to mad cow disease. It allowed some supplies to resume in 2006 but under strict limits.
Current import restrictions limit U.S. imports to beef from cattle aged 20 months or younger. U.S. government officials are working to raise the limit to 30 months, but there has been no movement yet.
