In 2003, when a cow in Washington State that was imported from Canada tested positive for mad cow disease (also known as BSE), U.S. beef was banned from numerous countries, including Japan’s billion-dollar market. After much review and heated political debate in both countries, Japan allowed U.S. beef from young cows back in the country a year and a half later. However, just six weeks after the ban on U.S. beef was partially lifted, it was imposed again after spinal column - a forbidden material - was found in a box of beef from the U.S.

Yet the American consumer is not afforded the same care as the Japanese customer; here that same beef can be sold and only a small percentage of the domestic herd is tested for BSE, compared to Japan’s policy of testing all cattle. Also troubling is the fact that live cattle can be imported to the U.S. from Canada, which has had more cases of BSE than the U.S. and documented problems with the cattle feed regulations necessary to prevent the disease.