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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) announced today (April 24) that it would resume processing applications for beef imports from Japan with effect from Friday (April 27).
"After a thorough assessment and having satisfied ourselves with the enhanced control measures implemented by Japan against Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease, we will partially lift the suspension of imports of Japanese beef," a department spokesman said.
"At the initial stage, only boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months of age, with high risk materials such as brain and spinal cord removed during slaughtering, can be imported from designated establishments approved by the Japanese authorities according to an agreed protocol. The import of each and every consignment of beef shall have the CFS's prior written permission and shall be accompanied by a health certificate.
"We will closely monitor the situation and review our import requirements as and when necessary," he said.
The import of beef from Japan has been temporarily suspended since September 19, 2001 after the detection of a case of BSE in Chiba Prefecture.
Ends/Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Issued at HKT 20:31
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