Japan             | Japan Ends Ban On U.S. Beef | Japan’s Mini...

Japan            

Japan Ends Ban On U.S. Beef

Japan’s Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare (MHLW) announced the reopening of the market to U.S. beef today. USMEF President & CEO Philip Seng issued a statement which read in part:

“We are very happy this long process has finally come to a conclusion, and U.S. beef can once again be exported to Japan. This has been a trying time for us, but also especially challenging to the many Japanese companies and individuals who have both relied on and enjoyed our products for nearly three decades.

“The government of Japan, through its Food Safety Commission, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare (MHLW), has completed an exhaustive review of U.S. beef and found it safe. Today’s announcement by MHLW that Japan is again open to U.S. beef should be the signal to Japanese consumers that they can be confident in our products.”

USMEF plans to relaunch U.S. beef with a consolidated air shipment, which will arrive at Tokyo airport on Dec. 18, followed three days later by a luncheon of kansha — thankfulness — for those U.S. and Japanese individuals who were instrumental in the work involved in opening the market. A Dec. 27 press conference will deliver the industry messages of gratitude and relief that the market is open and allow the government of Japan to report on the team from Japan’s MLH and MAFF that is visiting 10 U.S. beef plants next week to witness USDA procedures as exports resume. The complete text of Seng’s statement and details of the campaign to relaunch U.S. beef will follow in a special edition of the Export Newsline.

Japan            

Japan Ends Ban On U.S. Beef

Japan’s Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare (MHLW) announced the reopening of the market to U.S. beef today. USMEF President & CEO Philip Seng issued a statement which read in part:

“We are very happy this long process has finally come to a conclusion, and U.S. beef can once again be exported to Japan. This has been a trying time for us, but also especially challenging to the many Japanese companies and individuals who have both relied on and enjoyed our products for nearly three decades.

“The government of Japan, through its Food Safety Commission, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare (MHLW), has completed an exhaustive review of U.S. beef and found it safe. Today’s announcement by MHLW that Japan is again open to U.S. beef should be the signal to Japanese consumers that they can be confident in our products.”

USMEF plans to relaunch U.S. beef with a consolidated air shipment, which will arrive at Tokyo airport on Dec. 18, followed three days later by a luncheon of kansha — thankfulness — for those U.S. and Japanese individuals who were instrumental in the work involved in opening the market. A Dec. 27 press conference will deliver the industry messages of gratitude and relief that the market is open and allow the government of Japan to report on the team from Japan’s MLH and MAFF that is visiting 10 U.S. beef plants next week to witness USDA procedures as exports resume. The complete text of Seng’s statement and details of the campaign to relaunch U.S. beef will follow in a special edition of the Export Newsline.