Last week, USDA announced the government of Japan had finalized technical requirements that will allow U.S. sheep and goat exports into the country for the first time in almost 15 years. American Sheep Industry (ASI) Executive Director, Peter Orwick, says they have been working since 2003 to restore this export market.
Japan Reopens to American Lamb
This announcement comes after extensive work by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) technical staff with Japanese authorities to establish new terms for market access that are science-based and consistent with international public and animal health standards. These terms will allow U.S. exports of sheep and goat meat to resume.
Last year, Japan imported $169 million in sheep and goat meat, primarily from Australia and New Zealand.