Created: 10/12/2009 6:30:42 AM 
TOKYO (AP) -- Japan has suspended beef shipments from an American meatpacking plant after officials say they discovered cattle parts banned under an agreement to prevent the spread of mad cow disease.
The Agriculture Ministry said Japanese quarantine inspectors found bovine spinal columns in one of 732 boxes sent by Tyson Fresh Meats that arrived last month.
Under a bilateral trade agreement, U.S. exporters must remove spinal columns, brain tissue and other parts considered linked to mad cow disease. U.S. beef shipments to Japan must also come only from cattle age 20 months or younger, which are believed to pose less of a risk.
The suspension only affects Tyson's factory in Lexington, Nebraska, one of 46 meatpacking plants approved to export beef to Jdapan.
A spokesman for Tyson called the delivery of that box a mix-up. He said the company is investigating and will work with the Agriculture Department to "take corrective measures."
©2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed.
