Japan’s decision to lift the 30-month age restriction for beef exports has been welcomed by the US, Canada and Ireland.

The decision stems from a ban dating back to 2003 due to BSE fears. Partial access had been restored over the years but it was only in January of this year that Japan’s Food Safety Commission decided to lift the age restriction for beef from the US, Canada and Ireland, with the terms agreed this week.

Both the USDA and the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) estimate that this decision could be worth up to US$200m annually, as well as grow trade with Japan.

Full read on: GlobalMeatNews