Japan lifts ban on US beef

Japan has agreed to lift its ban on US beef imports after lengthy negotiations, pending inspections of US meat processing plants, an Agriculture Ministry official said today.

The breakthrough resolves a long-running trade dispute and gives US farmers access to what was once their most lucrative export market.

Beef from the US was banned in January after Japanese officials found a veal shipment that contained backbone, which Asian countries consider at risk from mad cow disease.

The cuts are eaten in the US and other countries, but Japan’s rules are stricter.