Japan to ease restrictions on beef imports from Canada

Japan has agreed to ease the restrictions on beef imports from Canada by allowing beef from animals aged up to 30 months from 1 February, a development which is expected to considerably increase the value of Canadian beef exports to Japan.

The new regulation expands the current requirement, which only allows beef exports from animals aged 21 months or younger.

This move is expected to double the value of Canadian beef exports to Japan to nearly C$150m ($149.21m) per year.

Canada’s Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said that the agreement will put more Canadian beef on Japanese store shelves while strengthening Canadian producers’ bottom lines and growing the overall economy.

Canada’s International Trade Minister Ed Fast said that as part of the plan to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for all Canadians by opening new markets, the government has been working closely with Japan to expand access for exporters.

"Today’s announcement is proof that these efforts are getting results, and we look forward to taking our trading relationship with Japan to the next level through an Economic Partnership Agreement which would provide additional export opportunities for Canadian businesses," Fast added.

Japan imposed a total ban on Canadian beef imports in 2003 after an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

In 2005, Japan lifted the ban on imports from Canadian cattle aged 20 months or younger; however, it retained the ban on older animals over concerns that they may be at higher risk of BSE.

Currently, Japan is Canada’s third largest market for beef exports, and over the past three years, Canada exported beef worth approximately C$75m ($74.60m) annually.

Meanwhile, Japan has also lifted restrictions on beef imports from three other countries – the US, France and the Netherlands.

Mad cow disease, which is scientifically known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), damages the central nervous system in cattle, and people who consume the contaminated beef can develop a progressive type of dementia.

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Image: The move to ease restrictions on Canadian beef is expected to double the value of Canadian beef exports to Japan to nearly C$150m ($149.21m) per year. Photo courtesy of John Nettleship.