“Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published a proposed rule in the Federal Register titled: Importation of Whole Cuts of Boneless Beef from Japan.
“NCBA will not support finalization of this proposed rule until Japan has completed its process and accepts beef from the United States. Until both countries can agree to World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines, any beef product coming into the United States should meet the same requirements Japan has set for us.
“This proposed rule would allow imports of boneless beef from Japan into the United States if the product meets all U.S. safety standards, including removal of specified risk material. Historically, annual beef imports from Japan have been very small, averaging 19,000 pounds in recent years, an amount equal to approximately one-half of one semi-trailer load. The highest level was 33,510 pounds in 1999, which is less than what one semi-trailer can haul. This Japanese product has averaged $45 per pound.
“The publication of this proposed rule begins the U.S. rule-making process to fulfill our part of the framework agreement announced October 23, 2004 by U.S. and Japanese officials.
“There is no scientific basis for continued restrictions on boneless beef when safeguards are in place. BSE infectivity has never been found in muscle tissue. For these reasons, the United States has repeatedly called on Japan to open the border to U.S. beef, and NCBA calls for this action simultaneous to allowing imports of Japanese beef into the United States.
“NCBA will continue our aggressive push for the complete re-opening of all export markets for U.S. beef. At NCBA’s continued urging, re-establishing beef exports is at the top of the trade agenda at the White House, USDA and Congress. The President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Trade Representative and several senators and congressman are actively pursuing this goal. NCBA also has traveled to Japan to meet with government officials to give them the assurances they need that U.S. beef is safe from BSE.
“NCBA will not rest on this issue until there is harmonization of beef trade based on science. The framework agreement states, the “two countries will resume two-way trade in beef and beef products, subject to their respective domestic approval processes, based upon science.”
“NCBA members believe our beef has every right to compete for its share of the 96 percent of the world’s population that lives outside the United States. Not only do U.S. cattle and beef producers produce the best beef in the world, scientists agree beef is safe from BSE.”