Farmers still sending OTM cattle to slaughter despite ban
UK - UK farmers have sent over 180 older cattle to slaughter for human consumption since last November, despite a ban on cattle born before 1 August 1996 entering the food chain because of the increased risk of BSE. But the Department of Agriculture...

US Loses Steam In Regaining Asian Beef Markets
US - The latest deal struck by U.S. negotiators to resume beef exports to Asia has so far yielded no new business, and trade has even taken a small step backward, with new restrictions now that more mad-cow concerns have surfaced regarding neighboring...

USDA rule change speaks to need for COOL
USDA - On October 3rd, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service changed the rules governing U.S. beef exports to Taiwan, prohibiting shipment to Taiwan of beef derived from Canadian slaughter cattle. USDA opened the U.S. border to Canadian slaughter...

Despite easing of beef bans, restrictions still hamper U.S. exports
US - From Taiwan stopping importing Canadian beef products from the United States to South Korea's strict rules about bone fragments, it continues to be a rough ride for the U.S. beef industry even though more countries have begun lifting their bans...

Mexico Opens Markets to U.S. Dairy Heifers
US - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that Mexico will resume trade in U.S. dairy heifers under 24 months of age. "I am pleased with this first step in reestablishing cattle trade with Mexico, but I remain committed to a broader...

Taiwan to Stop Importing Canadian Beef Products from U.S.
US - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued on Tuesday updated export requirements for Taiwan regarding fresh/frozen boneless beef derived from Canadian cattle under 30 months of age....

Japan is fertile ground for Sask. products
CANADA - More than $500 million in Saskatchewan exports already annually flow to Japan, but there are also new opportunities to explore, Japan's ambassador to Canada said Thursday. Ambassador Sadaaki Numata met with the head of Saskatchewan Trade and...

Poll: Japanese Consumers Warming To U.S. Beef
JAPAN - A national study of Japanese consumers by Tokyo-based Macromill for the U.S. Meat Export Federation showed that 52 percent agree with the government's decision to resume imports of U.S. beef, and roughly the same number were either positive...

Japanese Authorities Confirm 29th Case of BSE
JAPAN - The authorities in Japan have confirmed the country's 29th case of mad cow disease. The Agriculture Ministry said tests had confirmed that a 75-month-old Holstein cow from a farm on the northern island of Hokkaido had been infected with mad...

Canada Issues New BSE Reporting Protocol
CANADA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is implementing a revised protocol for the ongoing reporting of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada as BSE is eradicated from the national cattle herd. All new BSE detections will be reported...

29th suspected case of mad cow in Japan
JAPAN - A cow in northern Japan is suspected of having the country's 29th case of mad cow disease, an official said Tuesday. Preliminary tests on the animal at the Ishikari Livestock Hygiene Service Center in Hokkaido prefecture on Japan's northernmost...

Japan accepts US beef imports
US - The California Cattlemen’s Association has announced that Japan will be once again accepting imports of U.S. beef. The opening of the Japanese market came after a month-long audit of 35 meat processing facilities in the U.S. to ensure that...

Now premium quality beef costs more than foie gras
UK - Farmers now get an average of £2.10 per kg, though the highest quality beef is almost £2.40 per kg. The price rise has been triggered by a shortage of beef supplies around the world. British beef prices have mainly been boosted after...

Reception In Japan To U.S. Beef Pleases USMEF Leaders
US - Although there is still a lot of work to do, leaders of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) say they are “extremely pleased by the reception” to the reintroduction of U.S. beef in Japan. In a telephone press conference from Osaka...

Hong Kong Approves U.S. Beef Plants
HONG KONG - Hong Kong has lifted bans on beef imports from three U.S. processing plants, according to Meat and Livestock Australia. Australia is the largest beef exporter to Asia, a position previously held by the United States. Source: Wisconsin...

S. Korea Keeps Option To Destroy US Beef Shipments
SOUTH KOREA - South Korea is maintaining its option to destroy or send back shipments of U.S. boneless beef and temporarily suspend exports from a U.S. production facility if a shipment is found to contain small bone fragments or other problems, a U.S....

Mad-cow protein is degraded by soil
FRANCE - The rogue prion protein that causes mad-cow disease is degraded by prolonged exposure to the soil, according to French research that may close off a path of exploration as to why cattle still fall sick with this disorder. Scientists are eager...

SRM breaches reported over the past month
UK - The FSA, in conjunction with the Meat Hygiene Service and DARD in Northern Ireland, has been carrying out a survey of compliance at cutting plants with legislation relating to the removal and disposal of vertebral column SRM from 24-30 month old...

Profs work on test that checks for mad cow in living animals
CANADA - Two University of Guelph scientists expect their innovative sensor for brain-wasting infections will eliminate the need to cull entire herds of cattle suspected of having mad cow disease. The sensor performs tests on brain samples obtained...

Fans celebrate return of Yoshinoya beef bowl after lifting of US beef ban
JAPAN - Japanese diners have celebrated the eagerly waited return of gyudon, a beef bowl dish by the Yoshinoya restaurant chain, after Japan lifted a ban on US beef imports. The fast-food chain took on a symbolic status during Japan's ban on US beef...