Jake
Well-known member
Japanese Beef Trade Inches Closer
Though it still seems like a sucker's bet, the Japanese ban of U.S. beef may finally be coming to a close after almost two years, at least on a limited basis.
Earlier today, Ag Secretary Mike Johanns announced, "The Japanese market is now open to U.S. beef products. Resuming beef trade with Japan is great news for American producers and Japanese consumers, as well as an important step toward normalized trade based on scientifically sound, internationally recognized standards."
Under the agreement announced today, the U.S. can export beef from cattle 20 months of age and younger to Japan. According to USDA, more than 94% of total U.S. ruminant and ruminant products, with a total export value of $1.7 billion in 2003, are now eligible for export to Japan.
The announcement followed last Thursday's determination by the Japan Food Safety Commission (FSC) that U.S. beef from cattle 20 months old and younger is in fact safe. Presumably, this was the last piece of the puzzle that Japan's government needed to resume beef trade with America.
"This stringent regulatory review by the FSC now allows Japan's Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare (MHLW) to re-open the Japanese market, while consumers can be confident that a stringent Japan regulatory process has determined U.S. beef is safe," said Phil Seng, president and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. "The U.S. beef industry looks forward to supplying safe beef to the Japanese market that meets the stringent regulatory criteria of Japan and U.S. regulators. We are looking forward to the completion of this process and to working with the Japanese meat sector to supply the cuts that meet the desires of Japan's consumers for healthy, nutritious and safe beef."
Even with trade resumption -- many speculate product will be moving within the next several weeks -- the glaring wild card is how eager Japanese consumers will be to begin eating U.S. beef once again that, obviously, will determine how much age-verified supply is required.
A variety of Japanese media reports in recent weeks indicate that the majority of Japanese consumers will be reluctant to dive back into American beef.
In related news, the Korean government is scheduled to meet this week to decide whether to resume U.S. beef imports. Prior to the December 2003 discovery of BSE in the U.S., the U.S. exported beef and beef products to 119 countries. With the opening of Japan, 67 countries have now established trade to at least selected U.S. beef and beef products.
Though it still seems like a sucker's bet, the Japanese ban of U.S. beef may finally be coming to a close after almost two years, at least on a limited basis.
Earlier today, Ag Secretary Mike Johanns announced, "The Japanese market is now open to U.S. beef products. Resuming beef trade with Japan is great news for American producers and Japanese consumers, as well as an important step toward normalized trade based on scientifically sound, internationally recognized standards."
Under the agreement announced today, the U.S. can export beef from cattle 20 months of age and younger to Japan. According to USDA, more than 94% of total U.S. ruminant and ruminant products, with a total export value of $1.7 billion in 2003, are now eligible for export to Japan.
The announcement followed last Thursday's determination by the Japan Food Safety Commission (FSC) that U.S. beef from cattle 20 months old and younger is in fact safe. Presumably, this was the last piece of the puzzle that Japan's government needed to resume beef trade with America.
"This stringent regulatory review by the FSC now allows Japan's Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare (MHLW) to re-open the Japanese market, while consumers can be confident that a stringent Japan regulatory process has determined U.S. beef is safe," said Phil Seng, president and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. "The U.S. beef industry looks forward to supplying safe beef to the Japanese market that meets the stringent regulatory criteria of Japan and U.S. regulators. We are looking forward to the completion of this process and to working with the Japanese meat sector to supply the cuts that meet the desires of Japan's consumers for healthy, nutritious and safe beef."
Even with trade resumption -- many speculate product will be moving within the next several weeks -- the glaring wild card is how eager Japanese consumers will be to begin eating U.S. beef once again that, obviously, will determine how much age-verified supply is required.
A variety of Japanese media reports in recent weeks indicate that the majority of Japanese consumers will be reluctant to dive back into American beef.
In related news, the Korean government is scheduled to meet this week to decide whether to resume U.S. beef imports. Prior to the December 2003 discovery of BSE in the U.S., the U.S. exported beef and beef products to 119 countries. With the opening of Japan, 67 countries have now established trade to at least selected U.S. beef and beef products.
