Japan Press Weekly

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2016 July 13 - 19 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Anti-BSE testing to be ended

The Food Safety Commission in the Cabinet Office on July 12 held a meeting and agreed to end the current compulsory screening of all cows over four years old in meat-processing plants in Japan. The screening had been conducted as a measure to prevent mad cow disease.

The FSC in the meeting endorsed its prion expert panel’s report concluding that ending counter-BSE testing “would have little effect on human health”.

The FSC said it will invite public opinion on the issue from July 13 until August 11, and will then finalize a decision whether to propose that the Health Ministry abandon BSE testing. The ministry, if it accepts the proposal to end the testing, will terminate the screening system sometime next year after revising related-ordinances of the government. However, the BSE testing will be kept on cows aged 24 months or older that are unable to walk properly.

In early September 2001, Japan confirmed the first domestic BSE-infected cow. In October 2001, the government banned the feeding of meat-and-bone meal and started blanket testing of domestic cattle of all ages.

In the meantime, the United States began putting pressure on Japan to ease Japanese rules in the testing system. In response, the government repeatedly relaxed the BSE preventive regulations. Yet, the U.S. administration is continuing to press Japan to accept cows of all ages as well as beef products and fully open the market (2016 National Trade Estimates on Foreign Trade Barrier).

Past related articles:
> JCP demands blanket testing for BSE [April 18, 2013]
> Are US beef under 30-month old with risky parts remaining safe to eat? [November 1, 2012]
> Gov’t expert panel approves relaxation of US beef import restrictions [September 6, 2012]
> Japan still wants to join TPP even with another BSE cow found in US? [April 30, 2012]
> USTR presses Japan to ease its food-safety standards [April 4, 2012]