Three months have now passed since Japan re-closed its market to U.S. beef, following the discovery of a single shipment of bone-in veal that contained prohibited material. NCBA President Mike John of Huntsville, Missouri, says Japan’s delay in re-opening the market is wearing thin on U.S. cattlemen.

Cut #1         :15          Outcue: "...hard as we can."

John would prefer to resolve this impasse without trade sanctions or retaliation, but says he won’t rule out these methods if they prove to be necessary.

Cut #2         :21          Outcue: "...won’t stand in Congress’ way."

John says he feels the issue has little to do with food safety, but has actually become bogged down in Japanese politics. 

Cut #3         :17          Outcue: "...of their government."

While regaining market share will certainly take time, John does not necessarily agree that the United States can’t regain a major portion of the Japanese market. He feels that once U.S. beef is allowed back in Japan, consumers may respond very positively.

Cut #4         :29          Outcue: "...that’s coming out of there."