Open CAN border after JPN opens
Favors keeping borders closed
By DIANE WETZEL, The North Platte Telegraph
03/25/2005
Senator Ben Nelson said Thursday that the United States should keep the Canadian border closed to beef until Japan opens up its borders.
While in North Platte Thursday, Nelson expressed his frustration with the Japanese government and its lack of progress in opening up its borders to U.S. beef.
"Right now Japan has closed off its border to exports from America of U.S. beef," Nelson said. "If we open up the Canadian border before Japan opens its border, then Japan can have an excuse or a reason not to accept U.S. beef that includes Canadian beef, because of the BSE issue developed in a Canadian animal."
Bovine Spongeiform Encephalopthy, or BSE, is also known as Mad Cow Disease. According to Nelson, Japan has its own problem with BSE, noting they have had 23-33 cases.
"The only example of BSE we have is from a critter than came from Canada. American beef has not been the problem," Nelson said. "Japan is sort of wrapped around the axle right now trying to solve their own problem and they won't open up our market. What they ought to do is solve their own problem, open up our market where there isn't a problem and let's normalize trade relations. If we can do that, I think it is the best of all worlds.
"Two weeks ago we met with the ambassador of Japan and made it very clear that friends don't do this to one another," Nelson said. "They need to expedite the process of reopening trade so our exports can go to Japan. When we do that, I think then we can go back and reconsider the Canadian border.
"We also told the ambassador that as long as they are stalling on getting our beef exported to Japan, many of our colleagues are beginning to look at trade sanctions against other things that Japan would be trading and be exporting to the U.S.
"We don't need a trade war, but the Japanese government has to understand we are very serious about it. The longer this is delayed, the more harm it does to Nebraska," Nelson said.
Nelson also said Thursday that he doesn't support the current budget proposal because it cuts too steeply into agriculture and spends too much money in other areas.
"Ultimately, we are going to fight to make sure that money comes back to Nebraska for farming, for agriculture uses, for recreational uses and for rural development,'' he said.
"If Nebraska becomes only Omaha and Lincoln, it won't be Nebraska anymore. That's why we need to push for these important economic uses in this state."
Nelson said he intends to work with Congressman Tom Osborne to try to bring more funds to the state for conservation purposes and to fight the cuts that are being proposed to the farm program.
"The farm bill is trying to help agriculture make it through difficult times as well as good times," Nelson said. "All these programs are designed to help control the growth of rural areas and so that we can sustain agriculture and wildlife and recreation. We recognize that different uses are important at different times. If we try to balance them, then we recognize that education, economic development and environment all go together. Congress needs to recognize that."
"We have to push our cause as strong and hard as others are pushing their cause for this scarce money that is not always available in Washington. It's not going to just happen. We have to make it happen," he said.
Favors keeping borders closed
By DIANE WETZEL, The North Platte Telegraph
03/25/2005
Senator Ben Nelson said Thursday that the United States should keep the Canadian border closed to beef until Japan opens up its borders.
While in North Platte Thursday, Nelson expressed his frustration with the Japanese government and its lack of progress in opening up its borders to U.S. beef.
"Right now Japan has closed off its border to exports from America of U.S. beef," Nelson said. "If we open up the Canadian border before Japan opens its border, then Japan can have an excuse or a reason not to accept U.S. beef that includes Canadian beef, because of the BSE issue developed in a Canadian animal."
Bovine Spongeiform Encephalopthy, or BSE, is also known as Mad Cow Disease. According to Nelson, Japan has its own problem with BSE, noting they have had 23-33 cases.
"The only example of BSE we have is from a critter than came from Canada. American beef has not been the problem," Nelson said. "Japan is sort of wrapped around the axle right now trying to solve their own problem and they won't open up our market. What they ought to do is solve their own problem, open up our market where there isn't a problem and let's normalize trade relations. If we can do that, I think it is the best of all worlds.
"Two weeks ago we met with the ambassador of Japan and made it very clear that friends don't do this to one another," Nelson said. "They need to expedite the process of reopening trade so our exports can go to Japan. When we do that, I think then we can go back and reconsider the Canadian border.
"We also told the ambassador that as long as they are stalling on getting our beef exported to Japan, many of our colleagues are beginning to look at trade sanctions against other things that Japan would be trading and be exporting to the U.S.
"We don't need a trade war, but the Japanese government has to understand we are very serious about it. The longer this is delayed, the more harm it does to Nebraska," Nelson said.
Nelson also said Thursday that he doesn't support the current budget proposal because it cuts too steeply into agriculture and spends too much money in other areas.
"Ultimately, we are going to fight to make sure that money comes back to Nebraska for farming, for agriculture uses, for recreational uses and for rural development,'' he said.
"If Nebraska becomes only Omaha and Lincoln, it won't be Nebraska anymore. That's why we need to push for these important economic uses in this state."
Nelson said he intends to work with Congressman Tom Osborne to try to bring more funds to the state for conservation purposes and to fight the cuts that are being proposed to the farm program.
"The farm bill is trying to help agriculture make it through difficult times as well as good times," Nelson said. "All these programs are designed to help control the growth of rural areas and so that we can sustain agriculture and wildlife and recreation. We recognize that different uses are important at different times. If we try to balance them, then we recognize that education, economic development and environment all go together. Congress needs to recognize that."
"We have to push our cause as strong and hard as others are pushing their cause for this scarce money that is not always available in Washington. It's not going to just happen. We have to make it happen," he said.