Japan’s beefed up imports a welcome sign for producers

Last week’s decision by Japan to amend a nine-year restriction on certain beef imports is a promising sign for Nebraska beef producers.

Beginning this month, the Japanese will be able to import high quality American beef from animals aged 30 months old or younger. Japan halted its U.S. beef imports in 2003, when a single case of BSE was detected in the United States. In 2005, Japan resumed limited imports, only allowing beef from animals 20 months old or younger. Lifting these restrictions opens opportunities for Japan’s import of more safe, quality U.S. beef, and is a move toward science-base...