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Japan

Japan Eases Bone Meal Restrictions

Japan has eased the restriction on importing crushed bones into the country, according to an article in MeatNews.com. A ban was imposed in October 2001 because meat and bone meal and similar products could not be ruled out as a cause of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

At the fourth BSE policy meeting held in September this year, however, MAFF proposed that crushed bones, for producing bone charcoal for filtering clean water and tile glazing, could be imported and used for these limited uses in Japan.

Accordingly, MAFF has implemented quarantine and control measures that apply to the import of the crushed bones and their management after processing. MAFF has also lifted the temporary suspension on imports of these products effective from 12 November and has notified relevant authorities and countries of this action.