Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

Dr. TanDY

Japan mulls intellectual property protection for 'wagyu' cattle genes

Source: The Star

Date: 14 April 2006

TOKYO (AP) - Japan is considering having the genes from four breeds of Japanese cattle declared a type of intellectual property to protect the product from mixed-breed imports, an official said Friday.

Japanese cattle, prized for their quality, are collectively termed "wagyu.''

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will convene a specialist panel starting Tuesday to study the matter, including possible regulations over what could be labeled wagyu, said Masaaki Iino of the ministry's agricultural production bureau.

"People both in the government and the domestic livestock industry are considering such protections as a way to maintain the image of quality associated with Japanese beef,'' Iino said.

Only cattle from one of four breeds designated under the Japan Agricultural Standard Law are considered wagyu, Iino said.

Wagyu meat such as the famous "Kobe beef'' is noted for its tenderness, due to its thick streaks of fat.

In Japan, it is usually more expensive than imported meat.

The protections being considered might prevent cattle from being sold as wagyu in Japan if they are crossed with other types, the Asahi newspaper said Friday.

Dr. TanDY · Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:54 pm Post subject:

Perhaps we should also protect our Kedah-Kelantan cattle genes in Malaysia too.

dark · Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Malaysia

Dr. Tandy ..
what so great about Kedah Kelantan breed?
if it is that great .. i just wonder .. why goverment go for larger breed such as ... Brahmans and their crossess ...

btw .. goverment do have farm that kinda preserve kk breed ...
its in Tanah Merah, Kelantan ... i guess know about it

Dr. TanDY · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:02 pm Post subject:

The Kedah Kelantan is a local cattle breed. They are evolved to get used to the hot and humid environment here. It is about genetic conservation.