Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Ryozo Kato indicated to members of the American Meat Institute (AMI) that Japan will reopen its market to U.S. beef in mid-December, now that the public comment period on Japan's risk assessment of U.S. beef has ended, according to a AMI press release.

While gratified by the Ambassador's assurance that U.S. beef exports to Japan will be restored by mid-December, AMI President J. Patrick Boyle, in a press release, cautioned against declaring victory until full beef trade is restored.

"We are gratified that an expert panel has acknowledged the safety of U.S. beef, but we must all remember that full restoration of trade, not a limited market reopening, is justified under international standards," he said.

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AMI officers met Thursday in Washington with Japans Ambassador to the U.S., Ryozo Kato to encourage the government of Japan to move quickly in implementing the Food Safety Commission's recommendations before year's end.

The public comment period on Japans risk assessment of U.S. beef ended November 29, and the Japanese government is now expected to announce the conditions for the importation of US beef.

The Japanese Risk Assessment, adopted by Japans Food Safety Commission October 31, concluded that the risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) from U.S. beef is extremely low and comparable to that of Japanese beef.

Meanwhile, AMI officers met with Kato to encourage the government of Japan to move quickly in implementing the Food Safety Commission's recommendations before year's end.

AMI also discussed with the Ambassador the need for the U.S. and Japan to move promptly to reexamine the limited reopening for beef from animals under 21 months pursuant to Office of International Epizootics (OIE) guidelines as agreed upon by the U.S. and Japan in October 2004.