USCA Supports Efforts to Press Japan to Lift Ban on U.S. Beef

USCA (March 12, 2010) - The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) applauds the efforts of Senators Mike Johanns (R-NE) and Blanche Lincoln (D-ARK) to address the issue of the ongoing Japanese import ban on U.S. beef and beef products. Senators Johanns and Lincoln, joined by 15 bipartisan co-sponsors, have introduced a Senate Resolution supporting increased market access and exports of U.S. beef and beef products to Japan.

Since the 2003 discovery of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in a Canadian origin cow, Japan has since significantly limited U.S. beef and beef products' access to their market. Currently Japan limits U.S. imports to only boneless beef from cattle aged 20 months and younger. These strict import restrictions have severely impacted the U.S. international beef market, reducing beef sales to Japan from an average of $1.4 billion prior to 2004 to approximately $196 million annually from 2004 through 2009, an annual loss of over $1 billion.

Senator Johanns recently met with the Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki and stated, "The Japanese ban on U.S. beef has devastated our beef industry and many producers throughout Nebraska for almost seven years… Japan's position, for which there is absolutely no scientific justification, has cost American producers billions of dollars."

Johanns cited the continued United States import of Japanese automobiles and automobile products as an example of the U.S. – Japanese trade discrepancies. U.S. markets have remained open even following a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimate that malfunctions concerning vehicle acceleration in several Toyota models had accounted for over 52 deaths and 38 injuries since 2000. Such tremendous inconsistencies between the respective trade policies of our nations create a situation and double standard which compromises potential economic wellbeing of United States beef producers. Johanns continued to say, "Japan's position … has a double standard that defies rationalization. I am not suggesting any sort of ban on Japanese products; I am asserting that the Japanese ban on American beef is entirely unfair, without merit, and should be lifted immediately."

USCA President Jon Wooster stated, "The continued Japanese discrimination of U.S. beef is irrational and defies scientific data. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has classified the United States as a controlled risk country for BSE, deeming U.S. beef safe for export and consumption."

"USCA firmly believes that Congress and the Administration needs to address this economically suppressing trade restriction, which is scientifically unfounded and an unreciprocated measure of distrust within the trade relationships of the U.S. and Japan. Complete access to the Japanese markets to U.S. beef and beef products would tremendously benefit our domestic producers and open markets which offer billions of dollars in export revenue. USCA strongly supports efforts, such as Senators Johanns’ and Lincoln's, which seek to reestablish a fair and scientifically based international market with Japan and we offer our assistance on measures which concern the interests and economic wellbeing of the U.S. cattle industry."

Established in March 2007, USCA is committed to concentrating its efforts in Washington, DC to enhance and expand the cattle industry’s voice on Capitol Hill. USCA has a full-time presence in Washington, giving cattle producers across the country a strong influence on policy development. For more information go to www.uscattlemen.org.