USDA BAN ON JAPANESE MEAT IMPORTS TAKES EFFECT

USDA BAN ON JAPANESE MEAT IMPORTS TAKES EFFECT    The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it has imposed import restrictions on Japanese meat imports due to suspected cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, also known as BSE or “mad cow” disease.
   These restrictions apply to prohibited products arriving in ports or after Sept. 10, the USDA said.
   Japan reported a suspected case of BSE to the Office International Des Epizooties, a world organization for animal health, on Sept. 10. BSE is a disease that attacks the central nervous system and may infect humans.
   The USDA has restricted the importation of live ruminants and ruminant products from Japan since March 2000 due to foot and mouth disease. No case of BSE has been diagnosed in the United States.