TOKYO (Nikkei)--Seeking to bar imported meat from being sold under well-known Japanese names, the Agriculture Ministry will establish a panel of experts Thursday to discuss new rules governing labeling, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its Monday morning edition.
With more imported meat being sold in Japan, there have been imports bearing such Japanese names as Wagyu, which covers Japanese purebred beef, and Kurobuta, a type of Berkshire pig. But under a new rule, only domestic meat would be allowed to display such well-known names.
Under current law, meats must bear labels showing country of origin, with imports allowed to use such names as Wagyu and Kurobuta.
The panel will draw up recommendations by the end of fiscal 2006.