Japan lifts BSE ban

Japan has lifted the final restrictions it imposed in May, 2003, after an Alberta cow died of bovine spongiform encepthalopathy (BSE, or mad cow’s disease).

Japan first relaxed its ban to exempt beef from animals too young to be considered a risk of spreading BSE. Now it will accept beef from cattle of any age.

It is also reducing its tariffs, first from 38.5 to 26.6 per cent and, over the next 14 years to nine per cent. That’s part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.

Japan and the United States also announced a new trade deal that gives the U.S. much more open access to the Japanese market.

The Canadian agriculture department said the new deal with Japan could lead to a 20 per cent increase in beef exports to Japan.