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Developments of the BSE Issue between Japan and the U.S.

January 2005

1. Confirmation of BSE-Positive Cattle in the U.S. (Dec. 23, 2003 and Jan. 2004)

• On December 23, 2003 (U.S. time), Ms. Ann Veneman, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, announced that a presumptive positive BSE case was identified in Washington State.
• On December 24 (Japan time), the Government of Japan suspended importation of U.S. beef and beef products.
• In January 2004, the Secretary made an announcement that the cow diagnosed as BSE-presumptive positive was likely to have been born in Alberta, the area where a BSE-infected cow was confirmed in May 2003 (the first BSE case in Canada).

2. Japan-U.S. Director-General-level Consultation on the BSE issue (Dec. 2003, Jan. and April 2004)

At the third Consultation, both sides shared their recognition on the following points.

• The Government of Japan (GOJ) and the United States Government (USG) will make efforts so as to reach a final conclusion by sometime around summer of 2004 on the resumption of the importation of both American and Japanese beef.
• GOJ and USG will establish a working group (WG) to discuss technical issues.

3. Formulation of a Report and Public Announcement by BSE WG (July 2004)

The points of the report are as follows:

• Abnormal prion protein accumulated in younger animals is unlikely to be detected using current testing methods.
• The quality system verification program of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the USDA can be used to provide assurances that U.S. beef and beef products meet conditions required by the GOJ, concerning the removal of Specified Risk Materials (SRMs) and age identification.

4. Japan-U.S. Summit Talks (Sept. 21, 2004)

• The two Leaders agreed on the importance of resuming beef trade between Japan and the United States as early as possible.
• While substantial progress has been made by continuous efforts of both countries since April this year (2004), Japan and the United States will continue to work together for the early resolution of this matter.
• For this purpose, the two Leaders confirmed that both Governments would hold consultations promptly to discuss specific matters concerning the resumption of beef trade.

5. Food Safety Commission (FSC) Sought Recommendation to Review Domestic Measures against BSE (Oct. 15, 2004)

(1) FSC compiled a mid-term report (Sept. 9, 2004).

"We must take fully into account the fact that we were unable to confirm BSE-infected cattle of 20 months of age or younger by the testing."
* In the report, the FSC also states that "it is difficult to detect BSE-infected cattle of 20 months of age or younger by the detecting sensitivity of the current testing method."

(2) The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries seek recommendations from the FSC (Oct. 15, 2004).

• (On domestic measures) Physiological age for BSE testing: must be conducted on cattle of 21 months of age or older.

6. Japan-U.S. Director-General-level Consultation on the BSE issue (Oct. 21- Oct. 23, 2004)

• The GOJ and the USG shared the view that under some conditions and modalities the two countries will resume two-way trade in beef and beef products, subject to their respective domestic approval process, based upon science.
• Further details of conditions and modalities remain to be worked out by experts and working-level officials of both countries by the time of the actual resumption of trade.

* Concrete studies are being made through such groups as "a study group on age discrimination of cattle", comprising officials of the GOJ and the USG and experts from both countries.