January 8, 2012

A statement regarding Japan's announcement on the resumption of beef trade with the US has been released by Agriculture Committee member Congressman Steve King.

"Iowa's beef producers will regain access to the Japanese beef market after almost three years of relentless negotiation by the US to regain beef trade with Japan. We look forward to our producers having that market open for business.

"Audits of our plants only took a month to conduct because of strict US safety methods already in place. Now, 34 out of 35 plants may begin to export beef to Japan immediately.

"US beef is among the safest in the world, and the Secretary of Agriculture and the US Trade Representative should be commended for advancing the use of scientific evidence for world trading standards."

According to the USDA, the US exported US$1.4 billion worth of beef and beef products to Japan in 2003. King is a member of the House Agriculture Committee.