Japan has suspended beef imports from Brazil over concerns of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) - a fatal neurodegenerative disease commonly known as mad cow disease.
The move comes after the South American nation informed the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) about the discovery of protein that is believed to cause BSE in a cow.
Brazilian officials said that the pasture-fed animal, which died in Parana in December 2010, did not have BSE, contradicting the local media reports. The officials are planning to meet in order evaluate Japan's decision and respond to it.
Japan imported 1,435 tons of Brazilian beef in 2011, which respresented about 0.3% of total beef imports, according to the Japanese Agriculture Ministry.
The outbreak of mad cow disease in Europe, North America and Japan over the past ten years has prompted beef importers to ban shipments.
Meanwhile, Russia is also planning to ban beef imports from Brazil over BSE concerns
