The current ban on beef imports from the United States following the discovery of a cow with mad cow disease late last year may be partially lifted, it was learned Saturday.
According to sources, Tokyo and Washington are looking into the possibility of temporarily adopting a scheme under which Japan would import beef that has been certified safe by the U.S. government after it is checked by a private sector organization as part of a new inspection system.
To date, several proposals have been tabled as to how to carry out the inspections. According to the sources, the basic plan is that all beef to be shipped to Japan will be checked before the cow is slaughtered and parts that are considered dangerous will be removed.