11/21/2007 12:54:00 PM
Japan Snubs U.S. Beef Again
Despite having in its hands the same scientific data that prompted the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to classify the United States as a controlled-risk region for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Japan continues to stonewall Washington on its repeated pleas for Tokyo to adhere to OIE guidelines.
The latest snub came in Rome, where acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner prodded Japanese Senior Farm Vice Minister Masahiro Imamura during talks on the sidelines of a meeting of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization.
Imamura told Conner that Japan's decision on revising its protocols for imports of U.S. beef will be "based on scientific evidence" and "on condition the safety of the food for the Japanese people is ensured," an anonymous official with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said, according to Kyodo News.
The same went for President Bush last Friday, when he pressed the issue with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda during a summit in Washington.
Asked whether Japan has had ample time to review the OIE data and at what point Tokyo is in its review process, USDA Press Secretary Keith Williams told Meatingplace.com, "I think your questions are good ones — and ones you might direct toward the Japanese."
At least Japan is consistent. In crafting a free-trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Tuesday, Tokyo agreed to eliminate tariffs on 90 percent of ASEAN imports, but beef, among other agricultural products, would remain protected.
Source: Tom Johnston on 11/21/2007 for Meatingplace.com