December 10, 2007

Japan's easing of age limit on US beef not enough: US Official

Washington's dispute with Tokyo continued despite Japanese officials indicated on technical talks Friday (December 7) that it might allow imports of US beef from cattle aged 30 months or younger.

While a move from its current protocol, limiting imports of beef from cattle younger than 21 months of age, it's not exactly what Washington has in mind.

USDA Undersecretary of Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Mark Keenum in a press conference said that the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has declared that US beef from cattle of any age is safe, thus, it can access to any market countries belonging to the World Trade Organization.

However, OIE standards are not enforceable and Japan is playing by its own rules.

Japan maintains its current position of restricting US beef to (meat from cattle) no older than 20 months, according Noriyuki Shikata, a foreign ministry official working on US relations.

US Meat Export Federation President and CEO Phil Seng said it comes as no surprise that Japan is mulling a move to 30 months, which has been in the works for more than a year. Other steps, including lifting a requirement that 100 percent of its cattle be tested for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, demonstrate a process in Japan, he said.

According to Sent, all developments have been a methodical approach by Japan, as the Japanese obviously believe in doing this in steps, not one big step.

However, Seng noted that US meat exporters are collectively losing US$100 million a month by not having full access to Japan's market, which is why the industry supports Washington's position on the issue.