Articles on BSE
MAFF to Harness JAS Mark as Means of Ensuring Beef Traceability
MAFF, MHLW Stop Imports of Canadian Beef Following Discovery of BSE-Infected Cow
Japan Asks US to Tighten BSE Quarantine Measures on Exports to Japan
Display of Ear Tag Numbers on Beef Products to be Compulsory from December
New JAS Standard to Assure Traceability of Products Not Covered by Beef Traceability Law
MAFF Publishes New Standards on Cattle Suspected of BSE Infection
Japan Voices Concern as US Considers Lifting Ban on Imports of Canadian Beef
US and Japan Agree on Measures to Stop Re-exportation of Canadian Beef to Japan
MHLW to Ban Sale and Use of Beef on the Bone from BSE-Affected Countries
Japan Declines to Lift Import Ban on Canadian Beef
MAFF to Establish New JAS Standard for Beef, Also Applicable to Imports
MAFF Report: Infection Routes are Closed and No Further Cases of BSE Will Arise
US to Reopen Borders to Canadian Calves; Japan Expresses Fears of Commingling
MAFF to Ask United States to Ensure Canadian Beef is Not Re-exported to Japan
MHLW to Ban Foods Made With Cattle Spines from BSE-Affected Countries
Proposed MAFF Regulations Effectively Treat Cattle Spines as Waste
Agriculture Minister Meets OIE Director General for Talks on BSE
MAFF to Introduce DNA Testing of Beef to Help Prevent False Labeling
Japan Suspends Beef Imports from US Following First Outbreak of BSE
BSE Testing of All Animals Exported to Japan a Condition for Lifting of Ban on US Beef Imports
FAO Urges Testing of All Slaughtered Cattle
Government Investigation Team Finds US Precautions Against BSE "Inadequate"
MAFF to Establish More Detailed Criteria for BSE Risk Assessment to Cover Countries With Outbreaks
No Progress in Japan-US Talks on Lifting of US Beef Import Ban

Articles on Avian Flu
Japan Suspends Imports of Poultry and Poultry Products from China
Japan Lifts Ban on Imports of Chicken meat from China; Ban on Duck Imports Remains in Place
First Avian Flu Outbreak in 79 Years; MAFF Establishes Countermeasures HQ
Yamaguchi Prefecture to be Declared Fowl Plague Free on February 19
Lifting of Ban on Poultry Product Imports is Conditional on Thorough Avian Flu Countermeasures
Cabinet Office Launches Avian Influenza Emergency Research Program

Articles on Other Domestic Livestock-related Issues
MAFF Decides FY 2003 Administrative Prices for Agricultural Products
Number of Beef Farmers Falling; Scale of Livestock Farms Growing
New Basic Law on Food Safety Establishes Inter-Ministry Food Safety Commission
MAFF Reorganization Replaces Food Agency with Food Safety & Consumer Affairs Bureau
Food Safety Commission Chairman Calls for Internationally Recognized Risk Evaluations

Articles on Trade and International Issues Related to Livestock
Japan Activates Safeguards Raising Tariffs on Beef and Pork
Japan Proposes Abolition of Tariffs on 50 More Agricultural Products Under FTA With Mexico
Difficulties Expected in FTA Talks as Mexico Proposes Substantial Liberalization
Ban on Beef, Pork and Lamb Imports from Korea Partially Lifted Following End of FMD Epidemic
Government Plans to Maintain Beef Safeguards in Fiscal 2004

Other Livestock-related Issues
NARO Achieves In Vitro Pig Embryo Transfer Without Abdominal Section
Performance of Japanese Holstein Seed Bulls is World-Class
Yamagata Center Develops Sexing Technique for Fertilized Cattle Ova That is Kind to Cells
3 Greatest Areas of Consumer Concern are Agricultural Chemicals, Imported Foods and Additives
MAFF Establishes New JAS Standard for Pork Requiring Disclosure of Production Information.

Views on Food Safety
Food Safety Commission Must be Managed in a Resolute Manner
BSE: New Information Should be Used to Enhance Food Safety
BSE in the United States: Japan's Worrying Reliance on Food Imports