MIYAZAKI (Kyodo) Miyazaki prefectural health inspectors began examining cows Monday at 150 farms as part of Japan's efforts to regain international qualification to resume beef exports.
Exports have been halted after the foot-and-month disease outbreak in Miyazaki in April forced local farmers to destroy much of their herds.
On Monday, the prefectural officials conducted blood tests and checked the eye conditions of about 60 cows in Kunitomi, Miyazaki Prefecture, to apply for export approval from the International Epizootic Office, known as OIE.
According to the agriculture ministry, the checkups will be finished by the end of the month, and the central government will apply with OIE around mid-October. If all goes well, OIE will grant the export approval in February, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, some cattle farms in Hyuga resumed operations Monday after the outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease shut them down.