Exporters cheer as first shipment of Canadian beef leaves for Japan

CALGARY (CP) - Canadian beef will soon be on Japanese plates, after the first shipment in 30 months left Alberta on Thursday bound for Asia's largest beef marketplace. About 3.4 tonnes of beef was sent from the Cargill Foods plant in High River and is set for arrival Friday in Narita, Japan.

"Within 24 to 48 hours the Japanese consumers should be tasting Canadian beef once again," said Cargill spokesman Robert Meijer.

Japan banned Canadian beef in May 2003 after the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), more commonly known as mad cow disease, in a cow in Alberta. That ban was partially lifted Dec. 12, when officials agreed to allow meat from animals under 21 months back into the Japanese market.

BSE has not been detected in any animals that young.

Thursday's shipment is being imported by a Japanese supermarket chain operating 66 retail outlets in Tokyo. The meat will be the feature attraction Tuesday and Wednesday at a Canadian Beef Fair, where consumers will be offered samples and Canada's beef safety practices will be highlighted.

A second shipment of 1.8 tonnes of meat is to leave Canada over the weekend from Better Beef in Guelph, Ont., another Cargill plant.

Japan historically imported up to 900,000 tonnes of beef a year. Prior to BSE, Canada was gaining a foothold in that market. In 2002, Canada exported 23,971 tonnes of beef to Japan, worth $96 million.

© The Canadian Press, 2005