Japan Drops Blanket Testing for BSE

Japan on Aug. 1 officially ended blanket testing of all cattle for BSE, although local governments may choose to do so.  This move was needed to allow the Japanese government to create rules that would allow U.S. beef to be imported, under the current U.S. testing program.  Japan now says only cattle 21 months or older need to be tested for BSE.

“We are definitely making progress,” said NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud.  “We are still on track for a best-case scenario.”  President Bush is expected to hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in late September in Washington, D.C., and beef is sure to be on the agenda.

Doud told Summer Conference attendees that reopening beef export markets still is a top priority with the Bush Administration.  “Standard diplomatic procedure, in every portfolio in every negotiation, beef is on the table, normalizing beef trade,” he said.

U.S. Meat Export Federation Chief Executive Officer Phil Seng said that 84 markets have reopened to some degree and 27 remain closed.  Japan and South Korea are the top two, worth an estimated $60 million per week.

On July 19, USDA Secretary Mike Johanns announced that Chile is lifting its ban on U.S. beef and beef products from animals less than 30 months of age. In 2003, the United States exported $5.3 million worth of beef and beef products to Chile.