Japan tests fail to show BSE infection from young cattle (5/9/2007)
Brain matter carrying “mad cow disease” from the two youngest cattle confirmed with BSE in Japan has so far failed to infect mice in tests, a Health Ministry official said on Wednesday. The test results could influence Japan's trade talks with the United States, as Tokyo has restricted American beef imports to cattle aged 20 months or younger on grounds that the youngest case of the disease was found in a 21-month-old animal.