Japan has temporarily stopped accepting live feeder and breeder cattle exports from Australia after a number of animals tested positive for bovine Johne's disease. 
The Department of Agriculture confirmed it would investigate whether the cattle were prepared according to requirements.
Johne's disease is caused by bacteria and leads to diarrhoea, tissue wastage and eventual death. Cattle are commonly infected as calves but many do not display symptoms for many years, according to Animal Health Australia. Japanese inspectors claim they have detected traces of the disease during post-quarantine inspections in Japan, said a spokeswoman for Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce. The affected cattle belonged to a consignment of about 300 Holstein heifers from outside Melbourne that were exported last week, she said. The suspension will affect the bilateral trade in Wagyu feeder cattle, which are exported to Japan at a rate of 1000 a month, according to trade magazine Beef Central.
Japan is the ninth-largest market for Australian cattle exports, valued at $14.6 million in 2014-15.
Alison Penfold of the Livestock Exporters Council told the ABC the affected consignment would have tested negative for Johne's while in Australia.