Radiation Checks Introduced For Beef Cattle
JAPAN - Japanese local authorities have started a programme of checks on beef cattle to measure their levels of radiation.
1 August 2011
1 minute read
The local governments and agricultural organisations in 15 prefectures are taking the measures because concerns are rising over beef being contaminated with radioactive cesium.
A report in the Daily Yomiuri says that a survey conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun found that if checks on all cattle are conducted in the prefectures, shipments are expected drop to about 25 per cent of their usual level.
The survey found a situation in which many local governments have been forced to adopt the measures because the meat industry could be damaged because of a fall off in consumer confidence in domestically produced beef.
Many authorities have been using a system of sample checks on cattle, but the public concern has driven them to institute checks on all beef cattle shipments.
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