Japan                                    ...

Japan                                                                                             

Seng And U.S. Ambassador Host Kansha Appreciation Luncheon In Tokyo

USMEF President & CEO Philip Seng in Tokyo yesterday conveyed the gratitude of the U.S. industry for the support shown for U.S. beef by its Japanese customers and partners in the last two difficult years and expressed his intention to work closely with our partners in rebuilding consumer confidence in Japan.

Seng spoke at a Kansha — Appreciation — Luncheon at the Hotel Okura arranged by USMEF-Japan for the many loyal supporters who consistently championed the U.S. industry and U.S. beef and waited impatiently for its resumption, which finally happened when the Japanese government lifted the ban on December 12.

Ambassador Schieffer and Seng performed a ceremonial U.S. roast beef cutting to commemorate the lifting of the ban and to celebrate the continued future close working relationship between the U.S. and Japanese industries.

About 50 representatives of Japanese trade associations, importers, ham and sausage manufacturers, foodservice chains and retailers sat down to a lunch of U.S. roast beef and U.S. beef tenderloin steaks prepared by Hotel Okura’s executive grand chef.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan J. Thomas Schieffer echoed Seng’s sentiments in a brief speech. “The resumption was a good first step, and the United States will keep making efforts to win Japanese consumers’ confidence in U.S. beef by promoting the safety and quality of U.S. beef products.”

Guest of honor Tadahito Iguchi, who joined the Chicago White Sox in January, also welcomed U.S. beef back to Japan at the luncheon. Iguchi, who won two stolen base titles, three Gold Glove awards and is a four-time All-Star, is a household name in Japan after eight years in the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks.

Mexico                                                                                         

Mexico Ends Ham Antidumping Case

The Mexican government announced that it had terminated an investigation into alleged dumping of U.S. hams initiated in May 2004 by the Mexican economy ministry. USMEF, along with the American Meat Institute and the National Pork Producers Council worked together to defend the U.S. industry in the ham investigation. The USMEF coalition filed an extensive brief in August 2004 arguing that the ministry illegally initiated the ham investigation and that imports from the United States were not the cause of financial problems experienced by the Mexican industry. U.S. processors then submitted responses to the ministry’s official questionnaire to demonstrate that their sales to Mexico were not dumping.

Japan                                                                                             

Seng And U.S. Ambassador Host Kansha Appreciation Luncheon In Tokyo

USMEF President & CEO Philip Seng in Tokyo yesterday conveyed the gratitude of the U.S. industry for the support shown for U.S. beef by its Japanese customers and partners in the last two difficult years and expressed his intention to work closely with our partners in rebuilding consumer confidence in Japan.

Seng spoke at a Kansha — Appreciation — Luncheon at the Hotel Okura arranged by USMEF-Japan for the many loyal supporters who consistently championed the U.S. industry and U.S. beef and waited impatiently for its resumption, which finally happened when the Japanese government lifted the ban on December 12.

Ambassador Schieffer and Seng performed a ceremonial U.S. roast beef cutting to commemorate the lifting of the ban and to celebrate the continued future close working relationship between the U.S. and Japanese industries.

About 50 representatives of Japanese trade associations, importers, ham and sausage manufacturers, foodservice chains and retailers sat down to a lunch of U.S. roast beef and U.S. beef tenderloin steaks prepared by Hotel Okura’s executive grand chef.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan J. Thomas Schieffer echoed Seng’s sentiments in a brief speech. “The resumption was a good first step, and the United States will keep making efforts to win Japanese consumers’ confidence in U.S. beef by promoting the safety and quality of U.S. beef products.”

Guest of honor Tadahito Iguchi, who joined the Chicago White Sox in January, also welcomed U.S. beef back to Japan at the luncheon. Iguchi, who won two stolen base titles, three Gold Glove awards and is a four-time All-Star, is a household name in Japan after eight years in the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks.

Mexico                                                                                         

Mexico Ends Ham Antidumping Case

The Mexican government announced that it had terminated an investigation into alleged dumping of U.S. hams initiated in May 2004 by the Mexican economy ministry. USMEF, along with the American Meat Institute and the National Pork Producers Council worked together to defend the U.S. industry in the ham investigation. The USMEF coalition filed an extensive brief in August 2004 arguing that the ministry illegally initiated the ham investigation and that imports from the United States were not the cause of financial problems experienced by the Mexican industry. U.S. processors then submitted responses to the ministry’s official questionnaire to demonstrate that their sales to Mexico were not dumping.