April 29, 2004

 

 

USDA Expects Japan To Resume U.S. Beef Imports By Summer
 

Through the newly agreed dialogue process, it is hoped that Japan will reopen its market to U.S. beef by this summer, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said on Wednesday.

 

''We are very pleased with the progress that was made in our most important beef market,'' Veneman told a hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture.

 

''There is now agreement to a process, which we believe will lead to the full resumption of trade in our No. 1 market by this summer,'' she said. ''Our experts will begin discussions with their counterparts on technical issues almost immediately.''

 

At a meeting in Tokyo last weekend, Japan and the United States agreed to launch a working group of experts by the middle of May. Efforts would also be made to conclude on whether Japan would reopen its market to U.S. beef by the summer.

 

The U.S. discovered its first case of mad cow disease in the state of Washington late December last year. This had prompted many trading partners, including Japan, to ban U.S. beef imports.

 

''It is very important that we reopen our top markets as soon as possible,'' Veneman said. ''A prolonged delay could result in longer-term diminished demand for U.S. beef, displacement by alternative products, substitution of suppliers, and permanent shifts in consumer-purchasing patterns.''

 

Veneman also expressed concerns that such a delay may have ''ripple effects'' on other agricultural sectors, including the feed grain and oilseed sectors. 

Video >

Follow Us

FacebookTwitterLinkedIn