Japan lifts ban on imports from 2 U.S. beef packers

Great for them, very prudent to take cautious action. At least no riots like in other countries in regards to beef.

i do and have always considered beef from the usa safer and tastier than any other beef. glad to have it back. now, i just hope they don`t start labeling it japanese as they did to the much tastier usa pork.

It appears that J-govt is convinced beyond doubt that U.S. beef is safe for consumtion after testing millions of people with contaminated rice without any health problems.

let me guess.. they still don't test every animal for mad cow in north america like they do in japan.

If I recall correctly, no cow born in the United States has ever had BSE. The two that did have it were from Canada. Isn't that correct?

let me guess... there still hasn't been a single case of human BSE in North America.

Although there haven't been any "admitted" cases of BSE in the U.S. recently, there have been numerous cases of downed cows being severely mistreated and sold to the general public.

According to a Humane Society report:

"... downed cattle, those too sick or disabled to stand or walk, are routinely beaten, dragged with chains, shocked with electric prods, and pushed by forklifts in efforts to move them at slaughter facilities ..."

http://www.hsus.org/web-files/PDF/farm/downers-bse-and-usda-final.pdf

Furthermore, this report states that "downed cattle may harbor greater numbers of pathogens, and their slaughter may increase spread of pathogens at the slaugher establishment."

We are talking about more than BSE here; we basically are talking about the spread of pathogens such as E.Coli, Salmonella, and even Anthrax (in which at least five people were exposed and confirmed having in the summer of 2000)!

..and even Anthrax

Cows spread Anthrax? Could you explain how they do that, freakashow.

Wait, I found it. "Anthrax is a farm animal disease that can infect, though very rarely, the human meat supply." But wouldn't this apply to all cattle, including those in Japan?

But wouldn't this apply to all cattle, including those in Japan?

You're right Mark; that would also apply to cattle in Japan. I was just merely pointing out the fact that although BSE is not common in cows, both in the U.S. and in Japan, there are other dangers out there that we should be concerned about. Also, we should be more concerned about the ethical treatment of cows before they are sent to be slaughtered, as well as choosing not to use "downed" cows for human consumption.

How embarrasing has this whole American beef fiasco turned out for "market protecting" Japan ? One could argue that Japan had spent so much time harrassing the US over beef that the Chinese slipped in their poisonous products while no-one was looking ! Now Japan has to eat some major crow by admitting that US beef is completely safe and the products they havent been paying attention to out of China are toxic ! The consumer must be about to blow a gasket !

Japan has to eat some major crow by admitting that US beef is completely safe

They're admitting nothing of the sort. They're stating that they're satisfied the safety measures put in place to ensure the nasty bits don't get through are adequate at last.

If anyone needs to eat crow pie, it's the meat packers who are supposed to be specialists but couldn't be bothered to get it right in the first place (and the second place....)

"They're admitting nothing of the sort. They're stating that they're satisfied the safety measures put in place to ensure the nasty bits don't get through are adequate at last."

So what happened to Japan's policy of "all out banishment of US beef over any violation" ? Enjoy that crow pie Nippon, you've earned it.

Although there haven't been any "admitted" cases of BSE in the U.S. recently, there have been numerous cases of downed cows being severely mistreated and sold to the general public.

According to a Humane Society report:

"... downed cattle, those too sick or disabled to stand or walk, are routinely beaten, dragged with chains, shocked with electric prods, and pushed by forklifts in efforts to move them at slaughter facilities ..."

http://www.hsus.org/web-files/PDF/farm/downers-bse-and-usda-final.pdf

Furthermore, this report states that "downed cattle may harbor greater numbers of pathogens, and their slaughter may increase spread of pathogens at the slaugher establishment."

We are talking about more than BSE here; we basically are talking about the spread of pathogens such as E.Coli, Salmonella, and even Anthrax (in which at least five people were exposed and confirmed having in the summer of 2000)!

"We are talking about more than BSE here; we basically are talking about the spread of pathogens such as E.Coli, Salmonella, and even Anthrax (in which at least five people were exposed and confirmed having in the summer of 2000)!"

Chicken little has spoken ! Now my turn. Do any of you out there realise just how many tons of American beef are consumed every year ? The fact that Americans alone consume ton after ton and have been doing so for more than 200 years, yet not one "American" has contracted any of this BSE crap, and neither has anyone else around the world for that matter. Comments like, "five people were exposed and confirmed", is just laughable ! You are thousands of times more likely to be struck by lightning (7,000 a year) than you are to fall ill to bse, anthrax, or whatever. You chicken littles of the world, puleeze give it a rest !