Japan has confirmed its tenth case of mad cow disease, or BSE, since the disease was first discovered in the country in September 2001.


The country’s health and agriculture ministries said an eight-year-old Holstein cow from Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, had tested positive for BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy), in Japan’s first new case of the disease since November, reported Reuters.


Authorities are now trying to trace the history of the infected cow to ascertain its birthplace.


When BSE was first discovered in Japan in 2001, the beef industry was hit hard by a consumer backlash against its products. The industry has been struggling to regain consumer confidence in beef, but this has not been helped by the December discovery of a case of BSE in the US.


Japan immediately banned imports of US beef, but the US has been trying hard to persuade Japan, one of the main export markets for US beef, to lift the ban. In order to protect its beef industry, Japan has called for all US cattle to be tested for BSE, a request that the US has rejected.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.