Japan halts beef imports from U.S. Cargill plant

TOKYO, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Japan has suspended beef imports from a Cargill Inc [CARG.UL] meatpacking plant which shipped a package of minced beef that is banned under current bilateral agreements, an Agriculture Ministry official said on Friday.

"Beef that has been processed, such as minced meat, cannot be exported from the United States to Japan," he said.

He said the minced beef came from the company's plant in Dodge City, Kansas.

Japan is currently asking the U.S. government to look into the matter.

Tokyo first banned all beef imports from the United States in December 2003 due to concerns about mad cow disease.

It later resumed shipments of beef but on strict conditions, including that the meat only come from cattle aged 20 months or younger.

The ministry official said Japan currently allows beef imports from 37 U.S. meatpacking plants, out of 40 initially authorised.

Japan has halted shipments from three U.S. plants, including the Dodge City facility, due to violations of agreements or because a cargo from the facility did not carry required documents, he said. (Reporting by Miho Yoshikawa)