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Beef News

OldDog/NewTricks

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BEEF NEWS
Japan OKs 35th U.S plant for beef exports

by John Gregerson on 8/16/2006 for Meatingplace.com


After passing inspection by Japanese authorities last week, a 35th U.S. processing plant has been given the green light to export beef to Tokyo.

The plant, located in California, is a Brawley Beef facility. Brawley was purchased by Kansas City, Mo.-based National Beef Packing Co. earlier this year.

Japanese authorities also signed off on an American Foods Group plant in Green Bay, Wis. The plant previously was given permission to export to Japan provided the U.S. government supervised its operations.
 

the_jersey_lilly_2000

Well-known member
Many U.S. beef processing plants opt out on Japan

By JOSH FUNK
Associated Press
Tuesday August 1, 2006
Land and Livestock Post


OMAHA, Neb. - When Japan banned U.S. beef in 2003 because of BSE fears, the industry braced for a big financial hit, with job losses spilling into Midwest feedlots, supply companies and retail businesses.

So when Japan agreed to lift the ban - contingent on Japanese checks of U.S. beef plants - many assumed that the inspectors would be welcomed everywhere with open arms.

But while 35 American beef processing plants are submitting to the inspections, thousands of other plants have opted out, deciding not to bother with exporting.

"There are a lot of guys who don't want to go through the hassle of these inspections," said Deven Scott, executive vice president of the North American Meat Processors Association.

Japanese inspectors began visiting U.S. beef processing plants on June 24 after an agreement was brokered to restore the once-lucrative beef trade with Japan that used to account for about $1.4 billion a year and 10 percent of U.S. beef sales.

The audit toured 35 meatpacking plants to ensure the facilities comply with Japanese import regulations. Inspectors will also review procedures at ranches, feedlots and mills. The Japanese inspectors visited seven beef processing plants in Nebraska, including the Tyson Fresh Meats plant in Dakota City.

While many of the small and mid-sized processing plants Scott represents would like a taste of the export market, most smaller plants lack the resources needed to comply with international trade regulations and don't produce enough beef to be competitive with large meat processors such as Tyson Foods Inc.

"You certainly can't ship 5,000 pounds of steak to Japan for the same price Tyson can ship 5 million pounds of steak to Japan," Scott said.

U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman Ed Loyd said U.S. officials hope Japan will lift its ban within weeks of the completion of inspections. The ban was first lifted at the end of last year. But in January, Japan again halted imports of American beef after one shipment was found to contain prohibited parts of cows believed at risk of the disease.

In June, Japan agreed to lift its ban again, but only after thorough inspections of U.S. meat-processing facilities.

The lifting of the ban may have hit another stumbling block in July after Japanese agriculture officials said they found a box of U.S. roast beef in a shipment of turkey and ham from the United States. It's not yet known what effect the incident will have on Japan's stance toward U.S. beef, but the Kyodo news agency quoted a high-ranking agriculture ministry official as saying that it underscored continuing sloppiness among U.S. beef processors.

Opening up additional export markets should help the entire beef industry regardless of how many plants actually export meat, because beef demand and prices will likely increase, said Janet Riley, spokeswoman for the American Meat Institute, which represents about 1,100 companies.

Steve Sands, chief executive of Premium Protein, said he's expecting a thorough review when the Japanese visit his company's plant at Hastings, Neb., but the higher prices export markets offer for certain cuts of meat make the process worth it.

"That economic incentive is worth the extra effort and extra record-keeping," he said.

All beef shipped to Japan will have to come from cattle less than 20 months old and no brain or spinal material can be included because that tissue has been known to carry BSE disease.

Loyd said the Japanese inspectors are checking to make sure processing plants can prove each cow's age and document its path to slaughter and that the physical plant is acceptable.

Cargill Meat Solutions, the country's No. 2 beef processor, said it has no objection to Japanese inspectors examining its plants, noting that its plants are continuously inspected by the USDA and are often audited by customers.
 

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