June 2, 2016
TOKYO (AFP) - Japan has temporarily suspended live cattle imports from Australia after "some" cows were found to have a gastrointestinal disease, the agriculture ministry said Thursday.
The infected animals arrived in Japan by air and tested positive for Johne's disease, also known as paratuberculosis, while in quarantine, a ministry official said.
Tokyo imposed a temporary ban on May 27, he added, but would not disclose the exact number of cattle affected.
Japan imports some 10,000 live cattle from Australia annually for consumption while about 400 additional animals are used to breed milk cows.
The infection causes diarrhoea, rapid weight loss and can sharply reduce milk production, the official said, adding that there was no risk to humans.
"We are asking Australia to investigate the matter and find the cause of the infections so it can take preventative measures," he told AFP.
A spokesperson for Australia's agriculture ministry said "the department is investigating, to confirm that cattle were prepared according to the importing country requirements".
