02/07/05 Back in Japan soon?; No private taking

Beef back in Japan soon? I'm Andy Patrick. Details on these stories and more are coming up on today's "Northwest Report". It could be as early as this week. Japanese government officials could give their formal comment on a recent U.S.D.A. report on cattle age verification. That report explains how the U.S. would prevent beef from cattle twenty months of age or older from entering into Japan. And once Japan signs off on the report that is expected to be the final hurdle cleared in signing an agreement that would allow U.S. beef back into Japan. Some cattle industry insiders say that could happen within the next week or two. But they add it still won't be until March or April until actual shipments arrive in Japan as both nations finish putting together a beef export verification program. John Reddington of the American Meat Institute says even then, this is but a first step towards Japanese full acceptance of the U.S. beef into its country. REDDINGTON: But it's been with the understanding that sometime this summer the O.I.E. would make a determination of the U.S. status in terms of b.s.e. risks. A U.S. District Court judge as ruled that under new federal protections for endangered and threatened wolf species, private takings of grey wolves as a means of livestock protection will not be allowed. Originally the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allowed for private taking in the event a livestock owner caught a grey wolf in the act of killing his or her animal. But Judge Robert Jones says under his interpretation of the rule, only federal wildlife officials would be allowed to conduct takings. Now with today's "Food Forethought", here's Susan Allen. ALLEN: I received a comical cartoon vial e-mail this week that really caught my fancy. Picture this& There are two frames, in one is a drawing of the typical American automobile, &. the other frame holds a picture of a cow, with the initials BSE inscribed on its side. Under the drawing of the car the caption reads&& "this killed 42,643 Americans in 2003," and I think all of you can guess what it says under the cow with BSE & yes that right, &.."this has killed zero." Cam Cardow's cartoon, does a great service by exposing how the mainstream media sensationalizes issues involving the food we eat with the potential of hurting the farmers that produce it. In all the BSE fear mongering I can't remember ever hearing the actual statistics of mad cow put into perspective like this. BSE was never compared to the number of deaths each year from cancer, car accidents, aids or even e-coli. That cartoon, aptly titled, "Reality Check" sums up the mission of the Food Forethought Organization, our daily quest for the great "reality check" is why FFT is supported both by the individuals that grow food and those that consume it. I'm Susan Allen and this is Food Forethought