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U.S. beef goes on sale at 3 stores in Tokyo area

Tommy

Well-known member
U.S. beef goes on sale at 3 stores in Tokyo area



Kyodo News

Aug. 9 CHIBA, Japan



A shop assistant displays U.S. beef at the outlet of the Japanese unit of Costco Wholesale Corp. in Chiba, east of Tokyo, on Aug. 9.



The major U.S. retailer started selling American beef at its three stores in the Tokyo metropolitan area after the Japanese government confirmed the previous day the safety of the first shipment of U.S. beef since Japan lifted a reinstated import ban over fears of mad cow disease. (Kyodo)



home.kyodo.co.jp



3 years after mad cow scare, Japan again buying U.S. beef



By Mari Yamaguchi

Philadelphia Inquirer

Associated Press

Aug. 08, 2006



TOKYO - Japan yesterday imported its first shipment of American beef since January, resuming a once-booming business that has been crippled for nearly three years over fears of mad cow disease.



The 5.1 tons of American chilled beef arrived on a cargo flight at Tokyo's Narita Airport, and its importer and government officials were expected to inspect it today, said Health Ministry official Masanori Imagawa.



Japan banned American beef in December 2003 after the first case of mad cow disease in the United States. That ban was eased in December 2005, but was reimposed after forbidden spine bones were found in an import shipment of veal in January.



Yesterday's shipment, which follows the latest lifting of the beef ban on July 27, came from U.S. beef giant Cargill Inc. and was imported by Costco Wholesale Japan, the Japanese unit of the American retailer.



Costco employees, airport inspectors, and Health Ministry officials were to scrutinize the entire shipment in a three-tiered process to make sure no banned products slip through, said Imagawa, who is in charge of customs and quarantine.



Previously, officials inspected only part of the shipments.



"We'll go through all boxes to make sure there is no problem, so inspection will probably take all day," Imagawa said.



Japan was the U.S. beef industry's most lucrative overseas market before December 2003, importing about $1.4 billion worth of meat. However, concerns over mad cow disease, also called bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE, have severely damaged Japanese faith in the safety of the imports. Those fears were compounded by the faulty shipment in January.



BSE is a brain-degenerative disease in cattle. In humans, eating meat contaminated with BSE is linked to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a rare and deadly nerve disease.



Recent public polls have showed the majority of Japanese consumers are planning to stay away from U.S. beef, and major restaurants and supermarkets have said they have no immediate plans to sell it.

The reopening of the market followed a rigorous series of meetings, public hearings, and inspections of American beef processing plants.



Japan so far has approved 33 of 35 such plants visited by government officials. One of the remaining two was deemed eligible for export, but only with follow-up surveillance. The approval for the other was pending.
 

Jason

Well-known member
Yet the 5.1 tons sold out the same day.

That's 10,200 pounds.

Say an average purchase was 2 pounds, that's 5,100 consumers who paid for American beef. Not bad for 1 afternoon.
 

Sandhusker

Well-known member
Jason said:
Yet the 5.1 tons sold out the same day.

That's 10,200 pounds.

Say an average purchase was 2 pounds, that's 5,100 consumers who paid for American beef. Not bad for 1 afternoon.

You had three stores located in the largest populace on the planet that sold 5.1 tons in one day. 5100 consumers in a population of 12 million. To say the Japanese are scrambling for our beef is a teeny bit immature at this point. Anybody want to bet when we get back to 1.4 Billion?
 

Murgen

Well-known member
Does the timeline matter so much, or just the fact that you will get back to that point.

If RCALF had their way you wouldn't be shipping any. Beef from a BSE country is not safe. And the USDA is not doing their jobs in protecting the consumer.
 

Sandhusker

Well-known member
Murgen said:
Does the timeline matter so much, or just the fact that you will get back to that point.

If RCALF had their way you wouldn't be shipping any. Beef from a BSE country is not safe. And the USDA is not doing their jobs in protecting the consumer.

That's wrong, Murgen. R-CALF has only said what the US should and should not be taking, we have never made statements on what others should be taking - we figure that is their business. The other day, you made a similar comment and I asked you to name any country that R-CALF demanded take our product - I didn't catch your answer.

From what I read, you are agreeing with R-CALF on the USDA. Seems I've heard about the USDA not testing the right cattle, not using the right tests, and even covering up cases. Would those actions fall under the proper way to take care of consumers? I don't know why you are always trying to condemn R-CALF when you actually agree with us 90% of the time. PM me your mailing address and I'll send you an application. I'll even make up the difference from your funny money. :wink:
 

Murgen

Well-known member
From what I read, you are agreeing with R-CALF on the USDA. Seems I've heard about the USDA not testing the right cattle

Since May 20, 2003, most of the Canadians on this site were telling the RCALF types on this site exactly what you are saying now. We were called liars then.

But at that point RCALF was to involved with calling Canadian beef "unsafe" to look in their own backyard. Now they are further using it as an excuse for trade restrictions. Their number one concern!

RCALF does not care about exports, remember? They are in the Cattle industry, not the beef industry, so why concern yourselves, with such trivial things as beef exports.
 

Sandhusker

Well-known member
Murgen, "But at that point RCALF was to involved with calling Canadian beef "unsafe" to look in their own backyard. Now they are further using it as an excuse for trade restrictions. Their number one concern!

Dang it, Murg, trade restrictions is NOT R-CALF's number one concern. The profitablity of US producers IS our number one concern. I'll point out again that you don't trust the USDA on our BSE situation, but when R-CALF questions the USDA's take on your situation, it's a different deal. You keep flip-flopping between the USDA being competent and not being competent, depending on who's country is the topic. Thats not kosher.

It torks me off that Tam has a caniption fit when R-CALF doesn't want your beef because we're not sold on it's safety, but she pointed out that she called her politicians and complained about Canada taking our beef for the same reasons! We get hammered and get called all sorts of nasty names, but she's doing the same dang thing! I realize you are not Tam, but I see this same pattern with most of you folks up there.

We're supposed to take your cattle even though that positive 4 year-old could of been sent down here (and who knows how many like her) - yet you claim the USDA can't find cases. Why do you insist we accept a potential problem if you believe we won't be able to find it? That makes no sense. R-CALF raises their eyebrows and we're anti-trade and protectionist. That's not fair. As a matter of fact, it's a large crock.


Murgen, "RCALF does not care about exports, remember? "

No, I don't remember. Whoever said that is grossly misinformed. Par for the course - there's a lot if misinformation on R-CALF floating around here - most of it intentional.
 

Murgen

Well-known member
You keep flip-flopping between the USDA being competent and not being competent

I'm not really worried about their competence, I worry about CFIA's, which I have total faith in. And their openess and honesty.

But the USDA's incompetence should not be used as a reason to restrict trade on a country that has abided by all world standards.
 

Sandhusker

Well-known member
Murgen said:
You keep flip-flopping between the USDA being competent and not being competent

I'm not really worried about their competence, I worry about CFIA's, which I have total faith in. And their openess and honesty.

But the USDA's incompetence should not be used as a reason to restrict trade on a country that has abided by all world standards.

You contradict yourself, Murgen. You say on one hand how the USDA is blowing it, but then you say you have total faith in the CFIA - but they have enough faith in the USDA that they are taking all our beef. Either you're wrong to knock the USDA or you're wrong to trust the CFIA's judgment on them.

First of all, you haven't abided by all world standards. You don't have an effective feed ban. Proof of that is 4 year old positives. Secondly, if any world standard says that we have to take product that endangers our industry, I say only a fool would follow such a standard. Trade does not trump safety or sovereignity in my book.
 

Murgen

Well-known member
Are you going to get 100% safety?

What do you do everyday that endangers your life to a greater extent than BSE?

You are either being fooled by media hysteria, or you are using it as a tool to try to meet your agenda.

Which is it?

If you or RCALF thought that it was that dangerous to eat beef inspected and safeguarded by the USDA, you would be promoting a beef free diet!

IS the beef in the US and Canada safe to eat, with the safeguards we have in place? yes or no?
 

Sandhusker

Well-known member
No, you're never going to get 100% safety, but why take a needless chance? If you're in a situation, whatever it is, and choice "B" only offers losses and nothing to gain, why would you choose it? That is the US producer's situation regarding taking your beef. The odds are we would be importing BSE positive cases. You've given the USDA a vote of no confidence in finding the cases, so give me one good reason why we should take it.

None of our beef is 100% safe - yours or ours, even with any safeguards we may have. We have problems with the USDA's credibilty, - you Canadians have been very vocal letting us know that. You've got problems with your feed ban, so why do we want to import more problems?
 

Bill

Well-known member
Murgen said:
Are you going to get 100% safety?

What do you do everyday that endangers your life to a greater extent than BSE?

You are either being fooled by media hysteria, or you are using it as a tool to try to meet your agenda.

Which is it?

If you or RCALF thought that it was that dangerous to eat beef inspected and safeguarded by the USDA, you would be promoting a beef free diet!

IS the beef in the US and Canada safe to eat, with the safeguards we have in place? yes or no?

Careful Murgen, don't give them any ideas. We all remember when they joined hands with the anti-beef groups a couple of years ago to try to convince consumers what a huge health risk eating beef was.
 

Murgen

Well-known member
Sandhusker, the biggest problem we as Canadians have had with this whole situation is the hypocricy that both USDA and RCALF are presenting.

It does nothing for your credibility. Just ask your previous export markets!

Canada's is still intact, and our beef is as safe (or safer) as any in the world.
 

Sandhusker

Well-known member
Murgen said:
Sandhusker, the biggest problem we as Canadians have had with this whole situation is the hypocricy that both USDA and RCALF are presenting.

It does nothing for your credibility. Just ask your previous export markets!

Canada's is still intact, and our beef is as safe (or safer) as any in the world.

I understand calling the USDA on hypocracy, but how is R-CALF hypocritical?] I'll agree the USdA has crap for credibility. It seems the CFIA is the only outfit that trusts them.

I've seen plenty of hypocracy from North of the 49th. The main issue being "we dont trust the USDA, but by God if you question them, you're anti-trade."
 

Tam

Well-known member
Sandhusker said:
Murgen said:
Does the timeline matter so much, or just the fact that you will get back to that point.

If RCALF had their way you wouldn't be shipping any. Beef from a BSE country is not safe. And the USDA is not doing their jobs in protecting the consumer.

That's wrong, Murgen. R-CALF has only said what the US should and should not be taking, we have never made statements on what others should be taking - we figure that is their business. The other day, you made a similar comment and I asked you to name any country that R-CALF demanded take our product - I didn't catch your answer.

From what I read, you are agreeing with R-CALF on the USDA. Seems I've heard about the USDA not testing the right cattle, not using the right tests, and even covering up cases. Would those actions fall under the proper way to take care of consumers? I don't know why you are always trying to condemn R-CALF when you actually agree with us 90% of the time. PM me your mailing address and I'll send you an application. I'll even make up the difference from your funny money. :wink:

Sandhusker You said
R-CALF has only said what the US should and should not be taking,
BUT they back up their opinion of what the US should not take with the reasoning of the health protection of consumers from Beef coming from a country affected by BSE because it is UNSAFE for HUMAN CONSUMPTION.

You also said
we have never made statements on what others should be taking.
So I guess the health protection of foreign consumers of US beef is of no concern to you???? As your beef is coming from a country affected by BSE and you know what your leaders and lawyers think about Beef coming from an affected country. If R-CALF truly cared about consumer health they would be demanding the banning of exports on the same grounds they are demanding banning of imports. But that would not do much or your pocket books now would it???????

you said
I don't know why you are always trying to condemn R-CALF when you actually agree with us 90% of the time.
Just how can we agree with you 90% of the time you don't even agree with yourselves 90% of the time!!!! :lol: In one press release you claim the USDA and the packers don't care about the safety of the US beef then the next you are quoted to be claiming the US has the Safest Beef in the World raised to the Highest Standards in the World. We question how this can be if the USDA is in charge of your food safety and you divert attention by name calling or by repeatly changing the subject until everyone forgets the original topic. THAT IS THE R-CALF MO!!!! :wink:
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Murgen said:
Canada's is still intact, and our beef is as safe (or safer) as any in the world.


Murgen - then you answer me the question as to why after several of the investigations ( #7-#8, or was it 8-9 , 9-10 whatever?, I lost track on how many Canada now has :wink: ) CFIA released a statement saying at least 2 cases were tracked to a contracted trucking firm that had not properly cleaned their trucks and had provided feed to several feed mills- with no further info- but then released a statement that could be taken as something to the effect that there could be inumerable diseased cattle all over the western provinces- but then said nothing else... Then the Manitoba cow was found...

Tam and none of the industry leaders seem to care enough to ask- but this sure doesn't give me feelings of safe (or safer) beef :wink: :???:
 

Tam

Well-known member
Sandhusker said:
Murgen said:
Sandhusker, the biggest problem we as Canadians have had with this whole situation is the hypocricy that both USDA and RCALF are presenting.

It does nothing for your credibility. Just ask your previous export markets!

Canada's is still intact, and our beef is as safe (or safer) as any in the world.

I understand calling the USDA on hypocracy, but how is R-CALF hypocritical?] I'll agree the USdA has crap for credibility. It seems the CFIA is the only outfit that trusts them.

I've seen plenty of hypocracy from North of the 49th. The main issue being "we dont trust the USDA, but by God if you question them, you're anti-trade."

You have got to be kidding asking this question. :shock: :lol: :lol:
The US has the WORLD SAFEST BEEF does this statement ring any bells Sandhusker? How about this one raised to the WORLD HIGHEST STANRDARDS? How about this one the USDA DOESN"T CARE ABOUT FOOD SAFETYand this The US PACKERS DON"T CARE

And this statement Under no circumstances should the United States accept any cattle, beef or beef products, from countries that do not maintain identical or more stringent safeguard measures that is presently required or presently proposed in the United States which measures have been enforced for at least as long as the United States. followed by this if we are going to import cattle from Canada we at least deserve to have the same firewalls as Canada has to protect us from BSE?

and this statement If BSE is ever found in the US we as a beef producing nation should not market beef from cattle older than 20 months. Has R-CALF or Dennis passed a resolution on this statement yet?

How about this one We demand definitive answer of the Canadian industry pertaining to BSE Followed by there is no interest in the US BSE cases as they are Pre Feed ban. .
Do you need any more examples of R-CALF being Hypocrites. If you do then here is some more. We demand to know where all Canadian BSE cattle were born and what was the source of the BSE and Demand to have the source and all other possiblily infected cattle be cleaned up This after they had M'ID taken out of M'COOL bill as not to burden US producer with the cost of a system that would have made it possible to obtain these same answers when BSE was found in the US. And you ask how is R-CALF hypocritical :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Tam said:
Sandhusker said:
Murgen said:
Sandhusker, the biggest problem we as Canadians have had with this whole situation is the hypocricy that both USDA and RCALF are presenting.

It does nothing for your credibility. Just ask your previous export markets!

Canada's is still intact, and our beef is as safe (or safer) as any in the world.

I understand calling the USDA on hypocracy, but how is R-CALF hypocritical?] I'll agree the USdA has crap for credibility. It seems the CFIA is the only outfit that trusts them.

I've seen plenty of hypocracy from North of the 49th. The main issue being "we dont trust the USDA, but by God if you question them, you're anti-trade."

You have got to be kidding asking this question. :shock: :lol: :lol:
The US has the WORLD SAFEST BEEF does this statement ring any bells Sandhusker? How about this one raised to the WORLD HIGHEST STANRDARDS? How about this one the USDA DOESN"T CARE ABOUT FOOD SAFETYand this The US PACKERS DON"T CARE

And this statement Under no circumstances should the United States accept any cattle, beef or beef products, from countries that do not maintain identical or more stringent safeguard measures that is presently required or presently proposed in the United States which measures have been enforced for at least as long as the United States. followed by this if we are going to import cattle from Canada we at least deserve to have the same firewalls as Canada has to protect us from BSE?

and this statement If BSE is ever found in the US we as a beef producing nation should not market beef from cattle older than 20 months. Has R-CALF or Dennis passed a resolution on this statement yet?

How about this one We demand definitive answer of the Canadian industry pertaining to BSE Followed by there is no interest in the US BSE cases as they are Pre Feed ban. .
Do you need any more examples of R-CALF being Hypocrites. If you do then here is some more. We demand to know where all Canadian BSE cattle were born and what was the source of the BSE and Demand to have the source and all other possiblily infected cattle be cleaned up This after they had M'ID taken out of M'COOL bill as not to burden US producer with the cost of a system that would have made it possible to obtain these same answers when BSE was found in the US. And you ask how is R-CALF hypocritical :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Tam- WE DON'T NEED YOUR OLD COWS-- we're doing plumb fine without your old cows and beef-- we did plumb fine without ANY Canuck beef...Its you that needs the US shirtails, and again want to pass off Canadian beef as US beef, so its marketable-- Thats why the US should have and does have the right to require Canada to raise their standards above and beyond the call of duty- AND PROVE IT....Elseways just send it somewhere else-- EH Canadian Tam...
 

Tam

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
Murgen said:
Canada's is still intact, and our beef is as safe (or safer) as any in the world.


Murgen - then you answer me the question as to why after several of the investigations ( #7-#8, or was it 8-9 , 9-10 whatever?, I lost track on how many Canada now has :wink: ) CFIA released a statement saying at least 2 cases were tracked to a contracted trucking firm that had not properly cleaned their trucks and had provided feed to several feed mills- with no further info- but then released a statement that could be taken as something to the effect that there could be inumerable diseased cattle all over the western provinces- but then said nothing else... Then the Manitoba cow was found...

Tam and none of the industry leaders seem to care enough to ask- but this sure doesn't give me feelings of safe (or safer) beef :wink: :???:
Oldtimer you are jumping to conclusions AGAIN :roll: , what I said was I wasn't going to tell you until you start answering our questions, so I doubt you will ever know where whether I asked the CFIA. as you will never have proof to where your cases were born thanks to R-CALF getting M'ID taken out of M'COOL. :wink:
 
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