Asia PacificSouth Korea to put off U.S. beef imports until MayU.S. beef impor...

Asia Pacific

South Korea to put off U.S. beef imports until May
U.S. beef imports will be delayed until at least early May to check scientific data on the latest mad cow case, a government official said Friday.

Japan rejects US calls to end beef ban immediately
Japan rejected a US call for the immediate resumption of US beef imports, saying Japanese consumers will not buy the meat unless Washington clears concerns over mad cow disease.

Pork products safe from swine fever, but farmers could lose millions
Local consumers can continue to safely eat pork and bacon products, however, pig farmers are bearing the brunt of recent culling efforts in the wake of a spate of swine fever in the Eastern Cape.

Japanese eat more beef
Beef consumption in Japan during January increased six percent compared to January 2005, to 60,276 metric tons (boneless cuts equivalent). Meat and Livestock Australia said the January increase was due to a 14 percent jump in imported beef consumption levels, to 34,355 metric tons. Australia is Japan’s largest beef supplier. Domestic beef consumption dropped three percent, to 25,921 metric tons.

Americas

Calgary beef plant disqualified from exporting to Japan
Ottawa has disqualified a Calgary beef-processing facility from exporting to Japan due to a technicality Japanese inspectors found, Japanese officials said Friday.

USA

USDA exhumes infected cow, confirms age
The USDA has exhumed and examined the body of the beef cow that was diagnosed with bovine spongiform encephalopathy earlier this week, and confirmed an estimate by an Alabama veterinarian that the animal was at least 10 years old. Officials examined the animal's teeth to estimate its age, USDA said.

U.S. defends inspection systems for beef exports to Japan
The United States has defended its inspection systems for beef exports to Japan and isolated an inspection problem found in January as unique, the Japanese government said Monday.

Asia Pacific

South Korea to put off U.S. beef imports until May
U.S. beef imports will be delayed until at least early May to check scientific data on the latest mad cow case, a government official said Friday.

Japan rejects US calls to end beef ban immediately
Japan rejected a US call for the immediate resumption of US beef imports, saying Japanese consumers will not buy the meat unless Washington clears concerns over mad cow disease.

Pork products safe from swine fever, but farmers could lose millions
Local consumers can continue to safely eat pork and bacon products, however, pig farmers are bearing the brunt of recent culling efforts in the wake of a spate of swine fever in the Eastern Cape.

Japanese eat more beef
Beef consumption in Japan during January increased six percent compared to January 2005, to 60,276 metric tons (boneless cuts equivalent). Meat and Livestock Australia said the January increase was due to a 14 percent jump in imported beef consumption levels, to 34,355 metric tons. Australia is Japan’s largest beef supplier. Domestic beef consumption dropped three percent, to 25,921 metric tons.

Americas

Calgary beef plant disqualified from exporting to Japan
Ottawa has disqualified a Calgary beef-processing facility from exporting to Japan due to a technicality Japanese inspectors found, Japanese officials said Friday.

USA

USDA exhumes infected cow, confirms age
The USDA has exhumed and examined the body of the beef cow that was diagnosed with bovine spongiform encephalopathy earlier this week, and confirmed an estimate by an Alabama veterinarian that the animal was at least 10 years old. Officials examined the animal's teeth to estimate its age, USDA said.

U.S. defends inspection systems for beef exports to Japan
The United States has defended its inspection systems for beef exports to Japan and isolated an inspection problem found in January as unique, the Japanese government said Monday.