Tests Confirm Japan’s 10th Mad Cow Case
Japan on Sunday confirmed its 10th case of mad cow disease after testing a 7-year-old Holstein from Kanagawa prefecture, just south of Tokyo.
The first case, in September 2001, led to a drop in beef consumption and prompted Japan to begin testing all cattle headed for slaughter, a policy it wants the U.S. to adopt.
Japan banned American beef after a cow in Washington state tested positive for the disease in December, cutting beef supplies to Japanese restaurants. Discovery of the disease in both countries has pushed up demand for Australian beef.
Australia provides Japan with 49% of its supply, according to the Japan Food Service Assn. Importers such as trading house Mitsui & Co. are turning to Australia to meet demand.
Japan’s beef inventories fell by 13,000 tons in January to an estimated 64,000 tons, led by a drop in imports, according to the Agriculture Ministry.
The U.S. has asked Japan, the biggest importer of American beef, to scrap its ban. Japan wants the U.S. to adopt its policy of inspecting all beef.
The Japanese Health Ministry reported results of the latest test on its website after earlier tests on the Holstein, slaughtered Friday, showed the animal probably had the disease.
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