Except most the rest of the world doesn't go by the OIE...OIE, WTO,UN, NAFTA,GATT, all are a farce and nothing but a joke...
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Japan rules out immediate relaxation of U.S. beef import terms
Kyodo News
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 14:32 EDT
TOKYO — The government's top spokesman ruled out Wednesday an immediate relaxation of Japan's terms for the import of U.S. beef following a decision by the World Organization for Animal Health to allow the United States to export beef irrespective of cattle age. "This will not immediately lead Japan to alter its conditions for beef imports," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki told a news conference.
"It is crucial for relevant parties to take steps based on scientific grounds in line with the principles that the safety of foods must be ensured and that consumers' confidence can be secured," he said. What is particularly important is that experts at the Food Safety Commission, an advisory panel to the government on food safety matters, are able to conclude that imported U.S. beef does not pose a risk to human health irrespective of cattle age, Shiozaki suggested. He made the remarks a day after the 167-member Paris-based organization agreed to authorize the United States to export beef regardless of cattle age as long as specified risk materials, such as brains, are removed.
japantoday.com