USMEF-Japan Continues BSE Educational Efforts
USMEF-Japan Continues BSE Educational Efforts
A group of 40 scientists, key opinion leaders and journalists gathered in Tokyo recently to discuss the latest science regarding BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) and the importance of accurate risk communication.
The program, organized by USMEF-Japan, was designed to share information among leading BSE experts and provide a deeper understanding to key opinion leaders and communicators regarding the true risks – or absence of risks – posed by BSE.
Dr. Flemming Thune-Stephensen, a veterinarian and chief advisor for the Danish Meat Board, reported on the measures taken by Denmark and the European Union (EU) to eradicate BSE and establish public trust in beef products and the EU beef industry.
“Both Japan and the United States have ‘controlled risk’ status under the OIE (World Health Organization),” said Susumu (Sam) Harada, senior director for Trade Projects and Technical Services for USMEF-Japan. “However, the issue has become politicized in Japan.”
Dr. Masahiko Ariji, associate professor of Kinki University in Tokyo, spoke to the audience about the importance of risk communication based on a rational approach of cost-versus-benefit, particularly in regard to renewed calls in Japan to resume 100 percent testing of cattle for BSE.
“While the BSE risk to humans from raising the age limit for imported beef is essentially non-existent, the aggregate benefit to the trade, beef producers and consumers of lifting the age requirement for cattle to under 30 months is estimated to be $2.1 billion annually,” said Dr. Ariji.
Dr. Yoshiro Ozawa, an advisor to the OIE, served as moderator for the seminar.
USMEF-Japan conducted a similar seminar nearly one year ago with commentary on the declining risk posed by BSE offered by Dr. Ulrich Kihm, former chief veterinary officer of Switzerland with extensive experience in the research and analysis of infectious animal diseases, including BSE.
Given the changeover in ruling parties in Japan’s government, several participants in the program expressed the hope that the discussion will help create momentum for an expanded scientific discussion regarding BSE and expansion of the beef import market based on sound science.
“The response to the seminar has been very positive,” said Harada. “We have already seen media coverage calling for a movement away from 100 percent testing of cattle to better risk communication that would eliminate unnecessary safety concerns for consumers.”
Following the USMEF seminar, a follow-up discussion was held in Tokyo that included a number of the seminar participants under the direction of Dr. Hideaki Karaki of Tokyo University. Several of the scientists in the discussion, including Dr. Ozawa, reportedly questioned the validity of the current 20 month-of-age limitation on beef cattle allowed for import to Japan, recommending a shift to at least 30 month-and-under cattle.
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The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.
For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.
USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.
USMEF-Japan Continues BSE Educational Efforts
A group of 40 scientists, key opinion leaders and journalists gathered in Tokyo recently to discuss the latest science regarding BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) and the importance of accurate risk communication.
The program, organized by USMEF-Japan, was designed to share information among leading BSE experts and provide a deeper understanding to key opinion leaders and communicators regarding the true risks – or absence of risks – posed by BSE.
Dr. Flemming Thune-Stephensen, a veterinarian and chief advisor for the Danish Meat Board, reported on the measures taken by Denmark and the European Union (EU) to eradicate BSE and establish public trust in beef products and the EU beef industry.
“Both Japan and the United States have ‘controlled risk’ status under the OIE (World Health Organization),” said Susumu (Sam) Harada, senior director for Trade Projects and Technical Services for USMEF-Japan. “However, the issue has become politicized in Japan.”
Dr. Masahiko Ariji, associate professor of Kinki University in Tokyo, spoke to the audience about the importance of risk communication based on a rational approach of cost-versus-benefit, particularly in regard to renewed calls in Japan to resume 100 percent testing of cattle for BSE.
“While the BSE risk to humans from raising the age limit for imported beef is essentially non-existent, the aggregate benefit to the trade, beef producers and consumers of lifting the age requirement for cattle to under 30 months is estimated to be $2.1 billion annually,” said Dr. Ariji.
Dr. Yoshiro Ozawa, an advisor to the OIE, served as moderator for the seminar.
USMEF-Japan conducted a similar seminar nearly one year ago with commentary on the declining risk posed by BSE offered by Dr. Ulrich Kihm, former chief veterinary officer of Switzerland with extensive experience in the research and analysis of infectious animal diseases, including BSE.
Given the changeover in ruling parties in Japan’s government, several participants in the program expressed the hope that the discussion will help create momentum for an expanded scientific discussion regarding BSE and expansion of the beef import market based on sound science.
“The response to the seminar has been very positive,” said Harada. “We have already seen media coverage calling for a movement away from 100 percent testing of cattle to better risk communication that would eliminate unnecessary safety concerns for consumers.”
Following the USMEF seminar, a follow-up discussion was held in Tokyo that included a number of the seminar participants under the direction of Dr. Hideaki Karaki of Tokyo University. Several of the scientists in the discussion, including Dr. Ozawa, reportedly questioned the validity of the current 20 month-of-age limitation on beef cattle allowed for import to Japan, recommending a shift to at least 30 month-and-under cattle.
# # #
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.
For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.
USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.