USDA considers imports of Japanese beef

USDA considers imports of Japanese beef    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has proposed regulations to resume the import of whole cuts of boneless beef from Japan.
   The agency banned imports of this commodity in September 2001 after a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or “mad cow” disease, was discovered in a cow in Japan.
   USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service responded to the request from Japan by evaluating the risks associated with importing whole cuts of boneless beef from that country. The agency also reviewed Japan’s inspection system. Based on its findings, the USDA said it’s no longer necessary to impose restrictions on Japanese whole cut boneless beef.
   The USDA will take comments about the proposed rule through Sept. 19. For more information, access https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.