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Report
No.230904 |
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- International - |
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Japan and the US Agrees to Finalize Conditions for Beef Import Resumption Japanese and the United States governments finished expert talks in Tokyo on May 19 over suspended import of US beef, which was triggered by shipment of BSE related special risk material and agreed to finalize in the future the conditions for resumption of import. At the meetings, the Japanese side gave nodding to the US report on the re-audit of meat packing plants designated eligible for Japanese market, and assessed that the export verification program for Japan can be adhered to including the removal of BSE related special risk material. Based on the Japan-US discussions at this time, Japan will compile issues and measures to take, and will hold risk communications with consumers the result of which will be reflected in the talks with the United States to coordinate measures required for resumption of import procedure. The United States reported the result of re-audit of 35 packing plants eligible for Japanese shipment saying that there was no fault of the kind found in the plant from which commingled specified risk material was shipped in January. The Japanese side, after raising questions about the report, confirmed that "though some faults were found in some plants with procedural steps and in documentation, none of them was of the magnitude to affect [the acceptability and usability of] the products." During the discussion, the Japanese side, citing from public meetings with consumers held in the month of April, explained that the consumers' distrust on US beef still remains. Japan conveyed an idea that, for the lifting of import ban, Japanese officials need to accompany surprise inspections of plants by the US officials in addition to pre-shipment inspection by Japan. The US side showed forward looking posture to such an idea during the meetings. Japanese side will now present the result of the meetings together with additional necessary measures and explain them to consumers and the Food Safety Commission. |
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