Asia PacificJapan reinstates ban on U.S. beefJapan's prime minister says his ...

Asia Pacific

Japan reinstates ban on U.S. beef
Japan's prime minister says his country has halted the import of U.S. beef after an animal spine was found in a beef shipment at Tokyo International Airport.

Japan finds BSE risk parts in U.S. beef imports
Japan is considering stopping all imports of U.S. beef -- just a month after lifting a ban on the meat -- after finding risk materials that could cause mad cow disease in a shipment from New York on Friday.

Singapore ready to buy U.S. beef
Singapore has agreed to resume imports of U.S. boneless beef from animals under 30 months of age, according to Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns.

Americas

Exports key to Canadian pork growth
A Senior Market Analyst with the Guelph, Ontario based George Morris Centre suggests any future potential to expand Canada's swine production will depend on its ability to further develop export markets.

USA

Johanns responds to Japan beef export closure
"We take this matter very seriously. We are conducting a thorough investigation. Under U.S. regulations, the backbone, or vertebral column, that was exported to Japan is not a specified risk material because it was in beef under 30 months. However, our agreement with Japan is to export beef with no vertebral column and we have failed to meet the terms of that agreement.

USDA steps up efforts to protect food supply
The Food Safety and Inspection Service will conduct five critical food defense exercises this year.

Pork Checkoff and industry join effort to sequence the swine genome
The Pork Checkoff, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), state pork associations and research institutions have partnered with international organizations to support sequencing the swine genome.

FSIS clarifies guidance for non-ambulatory disabled cattle and age determination
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued Notice 05-06, “Re-examination of Bovine that Become Non-Ambulatory After Passing Ante-Mortem Inspection” to provide inspection program personnel with clarifying instructions to FSIS Notice 5-04, “Interim Guidance for Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle and Age Determination.”

NCBA to establish coalition to strengthen Checkoff
The elected officers of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) will establish a coalition, including other industry organizations, to provide recommendations for strengthening the Beef Checkoff Program and solidifying its relevance well into this century.

Asia Pacific

Japan reinstates ban on U.S. beef
Japan's prime minister says his country has halted the import of U.S. beef after an animal spine was found in a beef shipment at Tokyo International Airport.

Japan finds BSE risk parts in U.S. beef imports
Japan is considering stopping all imports of U.S. beef -- just a month after lifting a ban on the meat -- after finding risk materials that could cause mad cow disease in a shipment from New York on Friday.

Singapore ready to buy U.S. beef
Singapore has agreed to resume imports of U.S. boneless beef from animals under 30 months of age, according to Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns.

Americas

Exports key to Canadian pork growth
A Senior Market Analyst with the Guelph, Ontario based George Morris Centre suggests any future potential to expand Canada's swine production will depend on its ability to further develop export markets.

USA

Johanns responds to Japan beef export closure
"We take this matter very seriously. We are conducting a thorough investigation. Under U.S. regulations, the backbone, or vertebral column, that was exported to Japan is not a specified risk material because it was in beef under 30 months. However, our agreement with Japan is to export beef with no vertebral column and we have failed to meet the terms of that agreement.

USDA steps up efforts to protect food supply
The Food Safety and Inspection Service will conduct five critical food defense exercises this year.

Pork Checkoff and industry join effort to sequence the swine genome
The Pork Checkoff, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), state pork associations and research institutions have partnered with international organizations to support sequencing the swine genome.

FSIS clarifies guidance for non-ambulatory disabled cattle and age determination
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued Notice 05-06, “Re-examination of Bovine that Become Non-Ambulatory After Passing Ante-Mortem Inspection” to provide inspection program personnel with clarifying instructions to FSIS Notice 5-04, “Interim Guidance for Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle and Age Determination.”

NCBA to establish coalition to strengthen Checkoff
The elected officers of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) will establish a coalition, including other industry organizations, to provide recommendations for strengthening the Beef Checkoff Program and solidifying its relevance well into this century.