2nd Report of the Market Access Ombudsman Council (March 14, 1995)

1-(2) Review of heat processing standards relating to the import of meat of cloven-hoofed animals

1. Complainant: Thai Embassy

2. Ministry concerned: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

3. Complaint:

Based on the Animal Infections Disease Control Law, Japan bans the import of the meat etc. of cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, swine, etc.) from areas with outbreaks of malignant animal infectious diseases (Foot-and-mouth disease, Rinderpest, and African swine fever).

However, even when from areas of import ban, products accompanied by a certificate stating as having undergone heat processing according to standards set by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in facilities designed and equipped to prevent contamination by animal infectious diseases and designated by the Minister and accompanied by a certificate issued by a government organization of the exporting country are allowed to be imported.

The heat processing standards for the meat etc. of cloven-hoofed animals stipulated by the Minister (notification by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) are as follows:

1) By boiling, or exposing to steam of over 100 °C, so that the temperature at the center of the meat remains at 70 °C or more for one minute or more

2) By heating in a water bath, drying with hot air or other methods, so that the temperature at the center of the meat remains at 70 °C. or more for 30 minutes or more

The complainant would like to export deep-fried processed foods made from the meat etc. of cloven-hoofed animals (frozen pork cutlets, etc.) produced in Thailand and so raised the following issues.

Deep-frying in oil falls under "other methods" mentioned in the current heat processing standards and required processing is as described in 2) above, but deep-frying in oil for over 30 minutes renders the product inedible. Foods deep-fried after being processed according to method 1) above can be exported but there is no demand since such processing causes major taste deterioration.

Accordingly, the method of deep-frying in oil so that the temperature at the center of the meat etc. of cloven-hoofed animals remains at 70 °C or more for one minute or more should be added to the current heat processing standards.

4. Results of deliberation:

If heat processing methods not included in the current standards are shown, the standards should be reviewed immediately, as far as the effectiveness of such methods in killing organisms causing animal infectious diseases is verified.

Therefore, in this case, given the importance of preventing Foot-and-mouth disease in Japan, the following measures should be adopted, taking into consideration safety based on scientific proof.

The complainant has indicated willingness to provide scientific test data concerning the effectiveness of deep-frying in oil to kill organisms causing livestock epidemics, and therefore the concerned ministry should provide clear information to the complainant soon as to the content and format of the data which should be submitted to avoid requests for supplementary data later.

After the data in question is submitted, the time required to make the addition to the standards should be made clear and conveyed to the complainant, and technical discussions between Japanese and Thai experts should be held at an early date.

Government decision (March 28, 1995)

1-(2) Review of heat processing standards relating to the import of meat of cloven-hoofed animals

Clarification of prospected time for revising standards and technical meetings with the countries concerned will follow the presentation of scientific testing data on the effects of deep-frying in oil in killing pathogenic organisms causing malignant animal infections diseases without delay.

Follow-up (May 27,1996)

1-(2) Review of heat processing standards relating to the import of meat of cloven-hoofed animals

(1) In February 1995 the data to be submitted was described to the Thai experts. In April 1996, when the interim report on scientific testing on heat processing methods requested by the Thai authorities was presented, they were informed of the content and format of the data to be presented, and were given advice concerning testing methods, etc.

(2) After the required data are presented by the Thai authorities, the heat processing method, if by the data ascertained to kill organisms causing animal infectious diseases will be incorporated into the existing heat-processing standards.