Although no date has been set, government sources said the ban could be lifted as early as June.

During a three-day technical meeting that ended May 19, Japan approved the audit report of the U.S. compliance checks on 35 meat processing plants hoping to ship beef to Japan.

Japanese officials said the audit addressed most of Japan's concerns for quality control.

"We think there is no evidence that U.S. exports have problems with safety," said Hirofumi Kugita, director of the agricultural ministry's animal health division.

However, more work lies ahead for the two governments.

Both sides agreed that Japan will inspect U.S. meatpackers prior to resuming imports and that Japanese inspectors can attend checks of U.S. facilities when the U.S. conducts inspections without advance notice after exports resume, U.S. and Japanese officials said.

The Japan Times Weekly: May 27, 2006
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