06/24/05 Penn`s predictions?

No one knows for sure if the statements were made to put the best spin forward on another potential nightmare, to disseminate information, or just a government official calling it like he sees it. But U.S.D.A. Under Secretary J.B. Penn just a couple of days ago made statements, maybe one can even call them predictions, on the latest developments on issues pertaining to the U.S. beef industry. For example, Penn predicted how soon the World Organization of Animal Health's Weybridge England lab would have results on that re-tested cattle sample that popped up with a potential positive b.s.e. indicator. PENN: Statements at the time indicated that it could take up to two weeks time. My own sense is that it we could hear something this week or it could be early next week. That is not too far of a stretch as the U.S. announced the weak positive June 10th. But now what about the effects on normalizing foreign trade relations if the Weybridge lab announces a b.s.e. positive result on the sample? Even with U.S.D.A. reports saying the cow in question is from Texas? PENN: We are hoping to minimize any trade disruption should that announcement be that the animal tested positive. It is my belief, having worked with these various markets, that the fall-out should be relatively small. One nation, Taiwan, has already come out and said if the sample comes back positive, it will again close its border to U.S. beef. Taiwan is one of the largest importers of our beef. But the largest importer, Japan, is taking a wait and see approach to the b.s.e. re-test and its results. However, it has not yet reopened its market to our beef products. A Japanese technical team has spent the week in our nation studying our food safety requirements. But Penn says despite the latest re-test, his nation is continuing to push Japan to once again accept our beef. PENN: It is terribly, terribly slow. And I have indicated to them, and I know others in the U.S. government has been doing the same, that this process can't continue this way forever. The Congress is very concerned about the length of time this is taking. And I think at some point in the not too distant future, the Congress is going to turn its attention to this. And as for Canada? Penn says right now our nation will not allow Canadian live cattle and specific beef products back into the U.S., pending two cases on the matter set for next month in U.S. federal courts.