The Times claims that Japan is requiring the U.S. to prove it is free of mad cow. We haven't heard that and that is not the issue. The issue is that the beef exported to Japan be free of BSE - and that we can guarantee. Specified Risk Material (SRM) removal, tailored to the age of the animal, is internationally recognized as yielding safe beef, even if by some unlikely chance an animal actually had BSE. The OIE has even stated that it does not recommend against importing beef from countries with a high BSE risk. The SRM removal renders the country's BSE status a moot point.

THIS COMMENT by the TIMES shows that THE STORY is a PAY OFF.

Japan just wants BSE tested BEEF.

SRM removal is old TECHNOLOGY,Everyone KNOWS BSE PIRONS are in the BLOOD and TISSUES of BOVINES,NOT a MOOT POINT unless you are PROTECTING the STATUS QUO!