Japan Announces New Rules for Imports of U.S. Beef 2013
In a decision that removes much of the import restriction on U.S. beef imposed at the end of 2003, Japan has allowed imports of beef from U.S. cattle less than 30 months of age, effective February 1, 2013. Late in 2003, Japan banned U.S. beef in reaction to the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States. In 2005, Japan reopened its market to U.S. beef imports from cattle slaughtered at less than 21 months.
However, U.S. beef exports to Japan and Japanese beef consumption have not recovered to the levels they reached in 2003 and earlier. The latest action is expected to increase the volume of U.S. beef and byproducts exported to Japan; to allow somewhat lower prices in Japan for U.S. beef; and to raise the value of beef carcasses in the United States.
