The Japanese government decided Monday to conditionally resume beef imports from the United States and Canada, relaxing a two-year-old ban imposed for fear of contamination of mad cow disease.

Based on a report of a food safe panel last week, the decision allows the import of beef product from the cattle of up to 20 months old if they are properly processed, like discarding the parts that are likely to transmit the lethal disease, or formally known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy..

In addition, Japan also has asked the two countries to completely forbid using feed containing meat and bone which are thought as a source to spread mad cow disease.

Japan slapped a ban on Canadian beef in May 2003 and on the US beef in December that year due to the finding of mad cow disease, formally known as the bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

Beef is an important ingredient in Japanese cuisine, with the dish consisting of rice and beef being the favorite of diners in fast-food chains.

Japan was the largest US beef importer before the ban, and resorted to supply mainly from Australia from then on.

Japan was asking the United States to test every cattle before the exportation. The United States had been refused to do so.

The two countries reached an agreement about a year ago, in which Japan acceded to the resumption of import of beef from cattle aged up to 20 months at an early date without a blanket inspection.

However, Tokyo's caution of making a final decision in the following days has irked the United States. Some US lawmakers have urged the government to take retaliatory measures if Japan fails to life the ban within this year

Despite the relaxation of the ban, concerns about beef safety remain strong in Japan. A Kyodo News survey found that 75.2 percent of respondents said they were unwilling to eat it.

Source: Xinhua