The NCBA backed a plan in 2001 and pitched it to the USDA to put a "BSE FREE" label on all beef being shipped to Japan from the USA.
Seeing as how there was VERY little testing, NO SRM removal, and with the practice of harvesting downers, the USDA made probably the only wise decision they have ever made and turned down the proposal. :roll:
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BSE
December 10, 2001
Honorable Ann M. Veneman
Secretary of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C. 20250
Dear Secretary Veneman:
As you know, the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Japan is continuing to contribute to a huge market loss for U.S. beef exporters, processors and producers. This dramatic drop in exports is, of course, being translated into significantly lower U.S. cattle prices and contributing to an overall decline in U.S. agricultural exports.
All facets of the beef industry have worked closely in an effort to restore Japanese consumer confidence and revitalize this market. USDA officials have been extremely cooperative and have provided excellent information and representation on this issue both in the U.S. and Japan. The entire industry is extremely appreciative of these efforts.
The technical information supplied by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has been helpful in providing assurance to the Japanese meat trade that US beef products are safe. We also very much appreciate the work done by the Department, including your personal involvement, in connection with the recently released Harvard Risk Assessment.
Our beef exports to Japan, however, continue to be severely depressed. To assist in restoring confidence in U.S. beef, Japanese importers of our beef have strongly recommended that a formal "BSE Free" statement be included on all export certificates issued for shipments of U.S. beef to Japan. The U.S. beef industry fully agrees with this recommendation.
Accordingly, we request that USDA provide appropriate language on all export certificates indicating that rigorous monitoring and testing have demonstrated that BSE is not present in the U.S. cattle herd. We are confident that the inclusion of such a statement on each export certificate will help restore Japanese consumer confidence in U.S. beef, rebuild this critically important market, and strengthen U.S. cattle prices.
Thank you for the support you have provided. We would greatly appreciate your assistance on this additional matter.
Sincerely,
American Meat Institute
National Cattlemen's Beef Association
U.S. Meat Export Federation