Senators Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.)
today introduced a resolution pressing Japan to lift its partial ban on
U.S. beef. Sen. Johanns, a former Secretary of Agriculture, and Sen. Lincoln, Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, were joined by 15 bipartisan cosponsors. The resolution states Japan should immediately expand market access for U.S. beef products, and urges the Obama Administration to insist on increased market access from Japan.

"For too long, Japan has been grossly unfair in its treatment of U.S.
beef and beef producers for reasons that defy scientific
rationalization, even as the U.S. goes out of its way to treat Japanese products fairly," Johanns said. "We have proven that U.S. beef is safe for consumption. Japan must recognize that fact and remove its non-scientific barriers to our beef sales."

"Due in large part to a lack of export markets, American beef producers have lost an average of $1.4 billion annually since 2003 despite the fact that sound science tells us that our product is safe. Asia continues to hold the greatest growth potential in market access for American beef exports and these non-tariff trade barriers from Japan must be brought down," Lincoln said.

Background:

• Japan originally closed its borders to all American beef products in 2003 citing Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) concerns.

• Japan currently limits its imports of U.S. beef to only boneless beef from cattle aged 20 months and younger.

• Before the ban, Japan was the largest market for U.S. beef, with exports valued at $1.4 billion.

• Since the ban was enacted, from 2004-2009, U.S. beef exports to Japan averaged approximately $196 million, less than 15 percent of the 2003 level.

• According to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Japan's ban on U.S. beef results in approximately $1 billion in lost exports annually for American producers.

• The internationally recognized authority, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), has classified the United States as a controlled risk country for BSE, which means that U.S. beef is safe for export and consumption.

• Sen. Johanns met with Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki on Friday, March 5, where he outlined the double standard of Japan's U.S. beef policy and made clear he would make every effort to see that it is lifted.

Source: Senator Mike Johanns Office - Posted by Kaci Switzer

Bennet Calls for Japan to Lift Partial Ban on U.S. Beef 

Backs Senate Resolution Urging Japan to Expand Market Access for U.S. Beef Products

Ban Currently Results in $1 Billion in Lost Exports for American Producers

As Colorado’s beef producers struggle through the current economic downturn, Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, joined Senate colleagues today in calling for Japan to expand its market to U.S. beef products.

Bennet cosponsored a bipartisan resolution introduced by Senators Mike Johanns (R-NE) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) pressing Japan to immediately lift the partial ban on U.S. beef products that dates back to 2003 and urging the Obama Administration to insist on increased market access from Japan.

“U.S. beef has long been proven to be safe by internationally recognized, science-based standards,” Bennet said. “Japan’s unwarranted objections and non-tariff trade barriers unfairly limit access to a critical market that is important to Colorado cattle producers, Colorado’s beef industry and Colorado’s economy.”

Japan first closed its borders to all American beef products in 2003 citing Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) concerns. Today, Japan limits its imports of U.S. beef to boneless beef from cattle aged 20 months and younger. Increased access to the Japanese market would be a boon for producers in Colorado, which ranks second among all states as a supplier of beef to Japan and accounted for 20 percent of total U.S. beef exports to Japan in 2008. With the partial opening of its market to U.S. and Colorado beef, Japan's imports of beef from Colorado grew 122 percent to $76 million.

Before the ban, Japan was the largest market for U.S. beef, with exports valued at $1.4 billion. Since the ban was enacted, from 2004-2009, U.S. beef exports to Japan averaged approximately $196 million, less than 15 percent of the 2003 level. According to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Japan's ban on U.S. beef results in approximately $1 billion in lost exports annually for American producers.

The internationally recognized authority, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), has classified the United States as a controlled risk country for BSE, which means that U.S. beef is safe for export and consumption.

Source: Office of Michael Bennet - Posted by Kaci Switzer