August 5, 2006

Japan to bar-code semen to protect Kobe beef

kobebeef.gif Japan plans to make its cattle intellectual property to protect its high-end beef industry by identifying pure Japanese animals against those of mixed origin, the agriculture ministry said Friday, according to IOL.

"Japan will seek to patent the cattle's genes and put bar-codes on semen stocks in a bid to protect its beef, known as "wagyu" here and overseas often called Kobe beef.

The agriculture ministry said France and the Netherlands have already introduced bar-codes for animals' semen supply."