Japan Agrees to Expand US Beef Access

January 28, 2013

On January 28, 2013, United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk and United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the United States and Japan have agreed to new terms and conditions related to the export of U.S. beef to Japan. Under the new terms, which take effect February 1, 2013, Japan will allow the import of beef from cattle less than 30 months of age. Import of beef from the United States is currently limited to cattle aged 20 months or younger. According to the Office of the USTR, the agreement “goes a long way toward normalizing trade with Japan by addressing long-standing restrictions that Japan introduced in response to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).”

In December 2003, Japan banned imports of U.S. beef and beef products after an animal in the United States tested positive for BSE. Japan has allowed imports of U.S. beef from animals aged 20 months or younger since 2006.

For further information, please contact a Barnes/Richardson attorney.