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NCBA Unhappy With Jap Deal

Mike

Well-known member
US cattlemen unhappy with Japanese beef trade terms

Thursday, 22/06/2006

The US beef industry is not impressed by Japan's agreement to re-open its market to US beef after Tokyo completes inspections of US plants in July.

Trade adviser for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Greg Doud, complains it has been two-and-a-half years and the US has traded no beef with Japan.

Now on the eve of a visit to the US by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Japan has agreed to resume imports, but keep out the vast majority of US beef with what Mr Doud says is an unscientific barrier to trade.

"We're not going to be happy until we're at an international guideline, and we're able to trade everything, at a minimum, under 30 months of age," he said.

Japan insists on a 20-month standard to combat mad cow disease.

The US cattlemen back trade sanctions against Japan, introduced by several US lawmakers, until Japan finally lifts its US beef ban.

The Cattle Council of Australia is cautiously welcoming the news.

Executive director David Innal says the sooner consumer confidence about the safety of beef returns, the better for all cattle producers.

"We welcome the US beef coming back into the market," he said.

"Since BSE was detected total consumption of beef is down about 15 per cent and what we are about is seeing that total pie growing of beef consumption.

"Consumers have walked away to competitor animal proteins and we want them back in the beef market."
National Rural News
 

Econ101

Well-known member
So the deal is that we get to sell only the "safest" (based on age) beef to Japan while we feed the "least safe" beef to our children in school lunches and McDonald's hamburger?

This is the "best" deal after 2.5 years that the USDA can negotiate with one of our main trading partners?

The fact that the USDA champions this as a win shows just how out of touch with reality these guys really are.

The issue for Japan has been food safety. An issue that the USDA seems to have totally abandoned.

What kind of government do we have in D.C. running the show?
 

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