NCBA Discusses BSE with Japanese Legislators

A team of Japanese lawmakers and media representatives in August visited NCBA’s Washington, D.C., office during an eight-day visit to the United States.  NCBA met with the Japanese officials to reiterate the immediate need for reopening the Japanese border to U.S. beef and beef products. 

The Japanese team was led by Democratic Party of Japan shadow farm minister Masahiko Yamada. The group also was scheduled to visit  Seattle and San Francisco to meet with government, producer and consumer groups. The group planned to visit processing facilities and observe the BSE-testing process.

According to press reports, the group will use the information collected in the U.S. as reference whether Japan should lift a ban on U.S. beef imports. NCBA used this unique opportunity to push face-to-face for access to the Japanese market, calling for realistic, science-based trade decisions. Since the single case of BSE was found in the U.S., NCBA has continued to request that Japan reopen its borders to U.S. beef. NCBA is working toward normalization of trade with Japan based on sound science and harmonization of regulations between both countries.