The import of beef from Japan to the US will begin from this month. The beginning of the imports will mark the end of the two year suspension imposed after foot-and-mouth disease which was found in the Japanese cows.
The import of beef to the US was stopped in April 2010 after it was discovered that the Japanese cows were infected with the virus. Japan’s farm ministry in a statement said that the imports will resume on August 17, 2012. The ministry added that the resume of imports will acknowledge that Japan is clean from foot-and-mouth disease. Japan is also expected to relax the restrictions on the imports of US beef as early as November to that it becomes easy for Tokyo to take part in the trans Pacific free trade talks.
