November 30, 2004

 

 

Japan, Taiwan Closer to Resuming US Beef Imports

 

Japan and Taiwan are edging closer to opening their borders to US beef imports.

 

"The Japanese are in the midst of revising their domestic regulations and procedures concerning BSE and animal testing," US Agriculture Undersecretary J.B. Penn said Nov. 8.

 

"They must first complete that internal process. And we also are working jointly with Japanese experts to complete a study to determine an animal's age using our carcass grading system. That study will require 45 days to complete, and it is well under way."

 

Japan imposed its ban on US beef last December after a cow tested positive for mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) in Washington state.

 

"Before we found the one Canadian cow in Washington State with BSE almost 11 months ago, we had an annual trade in beef and ruminant products that total $7.5 billion," Penn said. "Almost immediately, 64 percent of those markets were closed to us."

 

Thus far, he added, the US has recovered $1.7 billion of the trade in still-closed markets. The 64 percent figure has been reduced to 41 percent.

 

"Of those markets that remain closed, the Asian countries account for the vast bulk of the sales. And of those, Japan is our largest and our number one market overall," Penn said. "And its actions are closely watched by others across the region. Thus, it's very clear why we've been focusing so much effort and attention on markets in the Asian region."

 

US officials visited Japan and other Asian countries "to complete our understanding of how trade can be resumed. ... For our part, we will develop an interim trade program that involves shipping only beef and products from animals 20 months of age and under."

 

Beef sales to Taiwan amounted to $325 million in 2003. The Taiwanese have completed an internal review process and are a step away from resuming trade with the US, Penn said.

 

The Korean minister of agriculture indicated that officials were beginning an internal consultative process with their experts.

 

"We believe that process will lead to a decision to resume trade. But the timing is unclear," Penn said.

 

US officials also visited China, Hong Kong and Macao.