June 30, 2006

US cattle prices not expected to increase after Japan lifts ban

US Agriculture Department officials say it will take years to recover from Japan's mad cow-related ban on beef and producers should not expect to see massive price hikes.

US Agriculture Department livestock analyst Ron Gustafson said Japan's expected reopening of its market would not bring a huge upswing in US cattle prices.

Gustafson says it would take years to return to pre-ban levels as Japan had imposed much stricter conditions.

Beef trade is likely to be a topic in the upcoming meeting in the US between President George Bush and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi as Japan has not set a fixed date to resume imports.