TOKYO (Reuters) -- Japan's farm ministry said on Friday that an animal health and quarantine agreement with China had come into force, paving the way towards the resumption of Japanese beef exports to China that had been halted in 2001.
Beijing has banned beef imports from Japan since an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad-cow disease, in September 2001.
The move comes as Japanese beef producers face higher tariffs for exports to the U.S. under President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs, set at 25% and due to take effect on August 1.
"Japan will continue discussions with China, including food safety and radiation testing, towards the resumption of Japanese beef exports to China," the ministry said.
A government official said the agreement taking effect was a major turning point for beef trade to resume, while adding it was unclear when exports could actually start.
China last month announced the resumption of seafood imports from some Japanese regions, ending a nearly two-year blanket ban imposed due to worries over Japan's release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
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