OTTAWA – For the first time in two decades, Japan is reopening its doors to Canadian processed beef, states an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) press release.
According to the federal government, the development removes the last remaining restrictions on Canadian beef imposed by Japan in 2003 following the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Alberta.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the AAFC have “worked tirelessly” to regain access to key beef export markets, including Japan, the release states.
Japan is Canada’s third-largest market for agri-food exports, according to official data, and Canadian beef imports there were estimated at $518 million in 2022.
The Canadian government is touting its particpation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement for decreasing tariffs tacked onto Canadian beef imports.
As of April 1, the tarrif sat at around 23 per cent, down from 38.5% previously.
The tariff is expected to decrease further, to 9%, by next year.
“Tariffs on further processed beef products will be reduced even more, and in some cases eliminated altogether,” states the release.
Canadian Cattle Association president Nathan Phinney said producers are grateful for the development.
“Our industry will continue to support global food security by providing some of the most sustainable and highest-quality beef in the world,” Phinney said.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the [federal government] to further remove remaining trade barriers and expanding our trade capacity in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Canadian Meat Council CEO Christopher White also lauded the development, stating the council’s members view Japan as a “critical market.”
“This agreement will allow our industry to further build on the recent successes they have enjoyed in Japan since the Trans-Pacific Partnership] was ratified.”
Federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said the development “is another big step in our trade relationship with Japan, a trusted partner in the Indo-Pacific.”
The recent restriction removal follows Japan’s approval of imported Canadian beef from cattle older than 30 months.
Statistics Canada data pegged the value of Canadian beef exports at $4.6 billion last year.
