Tokyo >> The Osaka prefectural police searched the house of a man on suspicion he attempted to illegally export to China the fertilized eggs and sperm of native Japanese cattle breeds, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned through people involved in the investigation.

With the brand value of wagyu Japanese beef cattle rising globally, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry has launched a probe due to concern that Japan’s livestock industry will be harmed if breeding through fertilized eggs and other genetic resources spreads abroad.

According to the farm ministry and the investigation sources, the man, who is in his 60s, is suspected of attempting in July 2018 to export to China fertilized eggs and sperm from Japanese cattle breeds, via a ferry from a port in Osaka to Shanghai, without quarantine inspection. The eggs and sperm were frozen with liquid nitrogen and then put into a metallic container.

After Chinese authorities determined that he had attempted to bring the fertilized eggs and sperm into the country without a Japanese quarantine inspection certificate, the man brought the eggs and sperm back to Japan and made a declaration at the customhouse in Osaka.

The Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control Law requires quarantine inspection when exporting animals, meat, eggs and the like from Japan. The ministry has filed criminal charges against the man, marking the first time for such charges to be brought in connection with the smuggling of genetic resources out of the country.

The flesh of native Japanese wagyu beef is tender and high-quality, and has a very strong brand value mainly in Europe and North America. The quality of beef is influenced by its bloodline.

The central government considers native Japanese cattle breeds to be a national asset and has not allowed their export since 2000.

An official of the organization tasked with registering Japanese cattle said: “Japanese cattle breeds are masterpieces of Japan, produced by our forbearers. Should genetic resources flow out of this country and spread abroad, the brand of Japanese cattle breeds could go into a decline.”