Japan - Foot-and-mouth shipment ban nears end

The ban on beef and pork shipments in Miyazaki Prefecture put in place because of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease may be lifted this month because no new cases have been found since the slaughter of infected animals was completed last week.

Shipments of live animals from disease-hit areas could resume as early as July 16 unless a fresh outbreak occurs, said Hiroaki Ogura of the animal health division of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry.