Seng Comments on Expanded Access in Japan

At last week’s Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show in Phoenix, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) altered its policy on beef trade with Japan by calling for U.S. negotiators to seek access for U.S. beef exports from cattle 30 months of age and younger. Currently, only U.S. beef from cattle 20 months and younger is allowed in Japan, which severely limits the supply of eligible cattle. While the beef industry still wants full access for beef from cattle of all ages, NCBA members attending the convention determined that approval of a 30-month age limit is an important, incremental step toward restoring full market access.

In an interview with AgriTalk host Mike Adams, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Philip Sengsays expanded access in this market is especially important at a time when Japan’s economy and currency are more stable than those of many other major trading partners.

Audio Clip #1            :21                    Outcue:            (…could afford them.)

Seng emphasizes that regaining full access to the Japan beef market is an important long-term goal, but says expanding access to include 30-month cattle would restore the vast majority of our beef export opportunities. With an ever-changing political climate in Japan, pursuing an expanded age limit as soon as possible could prevent the United States from missing an important opportunity for export growth.

Audio Clip #2            :36                    Outcue:            (…bottom line of the producer.)

Japan was once the largest overseas market for U.S. beef, totaling nearly $1.4 billion in 2003. Exports to Japan in the first 11 months of 2008 totaled just under $360 million. While this is an increase of about 60 percent over the same period in 2007, the industry will likely need an expansion of eligible U.S. cattle if it is approach its previous level of success in Japan.

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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.