BEEF SHIPMENT VIOLATES JAPANESE IMPORT RULES

UNCLAS TOKYO 002239 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE PASS TO USTR MBEEMAN, EHOLLOWAY STATE PASS TO USDA/FAS/OSTA DAWSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD EAGR JA SUBJECT: BEEF SHIPMENT VIOLATES JAPANESE IMPORT RULES ¶1. (U) The Japanese Government has posted information on the Agriculture (MAFF) and Health (MHLW) Ministry websites regarding the latest violation of agreed rules governing U.S. beef imports. The event consisted of a 4.5 kg package of uncertified ground beef discovered within a larger 3.8 ton shipment. The GOJ has announced a halt to shipments from the responsible plant. ¶2. (U) A Japanese importer, Japan Food Cooperation, reported the incident August 7 to Tokyo's Minato Ward Public Health Center. The shipment of 298 boxes, or approximately 3.8 tons of frozen beef, entered Japan in late July and a 4.5 kg log of frozen ground meat was later found to be not listed on the USDA certificate. The shipment was processed by Cargill Meat Solutions, Dodge City, Kansas. ¶3. (SBU) Japanese authorities announced a decision to halt temporarily all shipments from Cargill Meat Solutions, Dodge City and have requested, through the Embassy, that the USG investigate the violation. There is no evidence yet that the shipment included any high-risk material or represents any health risk, but the specified package was not listed on the accompanying USDA certificate. The MHLW and MAFF will consider further actions once they receive the USG investigation report and complete their own inquiry. ¶4. (U) The MAFF website gives more details at: http://www.maff.go.jp/j/press/syouan/douei/08 0808.html including a photograph at: http://www.maff.go.jp/j/press/syouan/douei/pd f/080808-01.pdf SCHIEFFER