Ambassador Kirk Talks Beef with Japanese Agriculture Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu...

Ambassador Kirk Talks Beef with Japanese Agriculture Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu

U.S. Trade Ambassador Ron Kirk met briefly yesterday with Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Hirotaka Akamatsu during the minister’s visit to Washington, D.C., and U.S. beef was on the agenda.

Ambassador Kirk and Minister Akamatsu held a wide-ranging discussion ranging from the WTO Doha Development Agenda to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).  On bilateral trade, Ambassador Kirk stressed the importance the Obama Administration attaches to securing greater access to Japan’s beef market in a manner that is consistent with science and OIE standards.

Akamatsu reportedly responded to Kirk that it is important to incorporate science in efforts to ensure food safety, adding that the two countries should continue the dialogue on this issue.  He noted that the United States needs to understand that the Government of Japan must consult with Japan’s Food Safety Commission, an independent body, for its scientific input.

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The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.

For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.

USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.

Ambassador Kirk Talks Beef with Japanese Agriculture Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu

U.S. Trade Ambassador Ron Kirk met briefly yesterday with Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Hirotaka Akamatsu during the minister’s visit to Washington, D.C., and U.S. beef was on the agenda.

Ambassador Kirk and Minister Akamatsu held a wide-ranging discussion ranging from the WTO Doha Development Agenda to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).  On bilateral trade, Ambassador Kirk stressed the importance the Obama Administration attaches to securing greater access to Japan’s beef market in a manner that is consistent with science and OIE standards.

Akamatsu reportedly responded to Kirk that it is important to incorporate science in efforts to ensure food safety, adding that the two countries should continue the dialogue on this issue.  He noted that the United States needs to understand that the Government of Japan must consult with Japan’s Food Safety Commission, an independent body, for its scientific input.

# # #

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.

For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.

USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.