Tester Blasts USDA Over Inaction on Japanese Beef Issue
“A little bit of work on this issue and ranchers could be exporting to Japan again.�
U.S. Senate candidate Jon Tester today charged the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with hogtying domestic beef producers trying to export their product to Japan.
“Japan is demanding that any beef they buy be tested for BSE,� said Tester. “Rather than letting American producers meet that standard, the USDA has sided with large meatpacking corporations to prohibit smaller operations from entering the Japanese market.�
“While this Administration sits around and plays the blame game, Brazilian exporters are capturing that beef market. We can’t twiddle our thumbs while foreign markets are being taken away. We need to solve this problem and allow meatpackers to test their cattle to meet the Japanese standard. A little bit of work on this issue and ranchers could be exporting to Japan again.�
“This problem demonstrates precisely what is wrong with America’s trade policy these days. The Administration talks a good game about leveling the playing field and opening up foreign markets. But when push comes to shove, they side with the biggest corporations over the small producers. There’s no reason why farmers, ranchers, or workers should trust America’s trade policy as long as it ties our hands to compete in the global market.�
In late September this year, Japan delayed lifting a ban on American beef. Japan said its Food Safety Commission needs more time to consider U.S. safeguards.
Before banning American beef two years ago, Japan had been the biggest customer of U.S. beef, importing more than $1.5 billion in beef in 2003.
Posted on Monday, October 10th, 2005 at 12:00 pm.
