Australian health and agriculture officials are monitoring a possible mad cow outbreak in Japan which would be the first in Asia.
Imports of Japanese beef, targeted at the specialist restaurant trade and accounting for just 0.2 per cent of all beef, have been banned because of the outbreak.
The outbreak comes ahead of new restrictions on beef trade into Australia which will force all countries to report on their risk of having herds infected with mad cow disease.
Australia and New Zealand Food Authority general manager of safety Greg Roche said such a small amount of Japanese beef was imported that it posed very little risk.
Australians monitor possible mad cow outbreak in Japan
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