RESOLUTION CALLS FOR INCREASED U.S. BEEF ACCESS TO JAPAN

 

     U.S. Sens. Mike Johanns of Nebraska and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas have introduced a resolution calling on the Obama administration to insist Japan immediately grant increased market access to U.S. beef. The resolution calls attention to Japan’s arbitrary and unscientific restrictions on U.S. beef trade. It was initiated when Sen. Johanns rhetorically questioned how Japan would respond if the U.S. were to ban all imports of Japanese cars due to safety issues with one company: Toyota.

     Japan allows beef products only from cattle less than 21 months of age, which is limiting the U.S. to only about 25% of its market potential in Japan. The age restriction is not based on sound science and is in violation of international guidelines, according to NCBA President Steve Foglesong.

     The bipartisan resolution is co-sponsored by, among others, U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback, both of Kansas. NCBA applauded sponsors of the resolution for addressing critical beef trade issues with Japan.

     Meanwhile, President Barack Obama said this week his goal is to double overall U.S. exports by 2015. He plans to create a high-level team to promote U.S. exports, with the goal of creating two million jobs over the next five years.