November 4, 2005
US urges Japan to raise age limit for imported beef
US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said America would continue to urge Japan to raise its age limit for US beef imports to "the international standard of 30 months", instead of 20 months currently planned.
Johanns and US Trade Representative Robert Portman also urged Japan to complete its assessment on the safety of American beef from mad cow disease, and lift its ban by the end of 2005.
