11/04/05 Japan may reopen the beef door

It looks like the Japanese may finally reopen their borders to American beef imports under 20 months of age. Undersecretary of Agriculture JB Penn says the Japanese have accepted a report from one of its own committees.' PENN "That starts a 28 day public comment period and at the end of that comment period then the Ministries of Agriculture and Health will implement the actual regulations that will allow trade to resume." Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns told Congress that the Japanese conducted a study of BSE rules and regulations JOHANNS "Our beef is equivalent to theirs relative to BSE safety issues." Idaho Cattle Associations Lloyd Knight says many producers suffered financially when the Japanese market was closed to them. KNIGHT "The domestic consumer has been gracious enough to keep demand increasing for products here which has helped." If US beef under 20 months of age is exported to Japan late this year or early next, it will end a two year ban enforced after a mad cow case in Washington State. US Trade Representative Rob Portman says the next step is to work on exports of cattle over 20 months of age. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott