July 10, 2006

USDA needs to keep up the pressure on Japan

While Japan's agreement to move forward, if the US meets its requirements, is a step in the right direction, Tom Buis, National Farmers Union president, said he is still only cautiously optimistic.

Buis noted in a letter to an agricultural website that despite assurances, the Japanese beef market has remained closed and cattle producers have lost billions.

Producers have largely failed to recognise Japan, its largest customer, and adopt measures that would have re-establish beef exports sooner.

Buis pointed out that USDA should have implemented mandatory country-of-origin labeling and adequate safety standards that would have improved US producers' ability to trade with Japan.

Finally, Buis urged that the USDA do everything possible to meet Japanese demands.