Fed: Aust slowly rebuilding beef sales to Japan

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Fed: Aust slowly rebuilding beef sales to Japan

Australia is slowly rebuilding its beef sales to Japan after that country's mad cowdisease scare.

In its latest report, Meat and Livestock Australia says beef exports to Japan climbed11 per cent in July although they are still down 25 per cent on the same time last year.

Beef consumption in Japan has slumped more than 40 per cent following a series of madcow scares last year.

Australian sales fell almost 50 per cent in the nation's most important market.

Meat and Livestock Australia says Japanese consumers are slowly returning to beef,which will benefit Australian farmers.

Australian meat processors and the federal government are set to begin a new marketingcampaign in Japan to boost local sales of beef.

AAP RTV sw/kjp/ldj

KEYWORD: BEEF (CANBERRA)