Japan halts US beef imports

News.com.au ^

[hole_n_one]

Japan halts US beef imports
From correspondents in Tokyo
December 24, 2003

JAPAN has temporarily banned the import of American beef after the US reported its first suspected case of mad cow disease, an official said today.

"We are now withholding the issuance of import permits" on US beef, said Japanese agriculture ministry spokesman Hiroaki Ogura.

"That means for now, (beef) imports have been banned."

He said the measure enacted early this morning was temporary until further information could be gathered.

US Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman announced that a cow from Washington state had tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease.

Japan is the number one export market for US beef, accounting for 32 per cent

[COEXERJ145]

Wouldn't make much sense to cut out the brain and spine and then try to sell the meat. No one would buy it.

Bad thing is even when they burned all the carcasses, it didn't remove the dang prions. Short of digging a big hole, filling it with the contaminated waste, placing a nuke inside, and detonating it, there seems to be few effective ways to kill the buggers.

[KneelBeforeZod]

well technically they're all muscle cuts...weight bearing being the toughest...like your pot roast etc.

I'd bet the loin, NY's, porterhouses, etc would be decent enough if you cooked them right.

wonder if japans ban means a flood of cheap kobe beef in the US? it might backfire on japan, if Americans get a liking to it and its more profitable to keep the kobe beef here than send it there.

[Bonaparte]

"Japan is the number one export market for US beef, accounting for 32 per cent"

I think those juicy Kobe steaks at my local market are about to get a lot cheaper.

Shitake mushrooms? Check!
Sweet Bermuda onions? Check!
Garlic? Check!
Coarse ground black pepper? Check!

Let's roll!

[HiTech RedNeck]

Panic city. In principle a bit of brain or spinal cord could get knocked into the meat during stun or slaughter. In practice... it's things like oxtail soup that carry the prions. So throw away the tail, spine and brain and eat the rest of the cow. It's a (er) no-brainer.

[HiTech RedNeck]

They caught this one because the Holstein was "non-ambulatory", but I find it amazing that such an animal was slaughtered and its muscle cuts processed.

To become petfood? Got a cat on my monitor now... "Mmmmmm, purrrrrrr, prions!"

[HiTech RedNeck]

Moreover, there is no reason to think that other Holsteins (or just about any cattle) were not exposed to the same source.

Unless it was spontaneous.

[Bluntpoint]

They are such small people, how much beef can these tiny Japanese possibly eat?

[KneelBeforeZod]

They are such small people, how much beef can these tiny Japanese possibly eat?

not much... a japanese steakhouse will give you 3 bologna sized slices of kobe for $75

[Cronos]

The Japanese govt. is safeguarding it's citizens. we did ban British beef when Mad C D broke out there.

[Bonaparte]

"You just don't realize the versatility of ground beef until you don't have it anymore."

Switch to pheasant and eel. You'll never go back. :-)

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[Bonaparte]

When things are back to normal, the price of Kobe will very likely shoot back up to where it was. The Japanese don't mind paying that price, but most Americans do.

[torstars]

To become petfood?

When USDA said that vCJD was not in muscle cuts, that translates to "this Holstein's muscle cuts were processed for human consumption".

[HiTech RedNeck]

But it's not CUTS. It's GRINDS.

[verity]

Do you think a couple of martinis before evey steak would help stave off any disease?

You propose marinating every steak in martinis before cooking? If so, do not BBQ! ;)

[riri]

An important tid-bit I don't want to let slip by, is that certain candies are said to have beef by-products in them

Ah yes, good point. Gummi Bears and certain gelatin-like candies.

[Freedom2specul8]

Just thought I'd tell you that checked the groundbeef prices today. Just plain ol high fat hamburger here is $3.98 a pound..and it's listed as a price reduction.

[torstars]

To become petfood?

I went to Interstate Meats in website, which indicates that its burgers are "as natural as mom's homemade patties". The Klacjkamas, OR facility serves customers in Northern California, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

They don't mention kitty cats.