Japan, U.S. begin talks on easing beef restrictions (The Japan Times) Japan and the United States began two-days of working-level talks Wednesday in Tokyo to discuss import restrictions on U.S. beef. Read more ... [News Source]

Humane Society of US again scaring people away from good diets? (AG Weekly) The Humane Society of the U.S. has, for years, been trying to frighten people away from consuming meat, milk and eggs -- but its recent testimony before a congressional committee reached a new low when the HSUS president, Wayne Pacelle, made the unsupported claim that pigs could be harboring the infamous and deadly British ‘mad cow” disease. [News Source]

Spot beef checks ordered after labeling scam. The agriculture ministry on Tuesday ordered random inspections nationwide of ground beef after discovering that wholesaler Meat Hope Co. has been mixing pork with other meats into products labeled as pure beef for years. [News Source]

Japan, US grapple again with beef dispute (AFP via Yahoo! News) Japan and the United States resumed talks Wednesday on Washington's demand for an easing of Japanese restrictions on US beef imports following an independent report that the meat has little risk. [News Source]

Is Bird Flu A Real Threat? How To Tell Fact From Fiction About This And Other Emerging Disease Threats (Medical News Today) When it comes to bird flu, Ebola fever, "mad cow" disease, SARS or any number of emerging health threats, it's easy to get caught up in the furor and fear. But at the end of the day, a group of special scientists say what's really needed is common sense. [click link for full article] [News Source]

Japan, U.S. hold beef import talks (AP via Yahoo! News) Japan and the U.S. began a two-day meeting on U.S. beef imports Wednesday to exchange views as the U.S. calls for an easing of Japan's tough import restrictions. [News Source]