TAKAYAMA, June 18 — A slaughterhouse in Gifu prefecture, home to Hida beef, was approved for beef exports to Australia by the ministry of health, labor and welfare.
The move comes as Australia has lifted a 17-year ban on beef imports from Japan in May, which could boost Japanese exports to the lucrative meat market.
Shipments of eligible Japanese beef have been allowed to enter Australia without any age limit conditions, according to the agriculture ministry.
The slaughterhouse in Takayama city aims to start shipments as early as late July. The facility is also approved for exports to the EU and the U.S.
Australia’s lifting the import ban is a critical step to boost Japanese beef exports, as Australians have high incomes and consume more beef per person than the Japanese.
Still, New Zealand and Vanuatsu have the import ban in place.