“We are very happy this long process has finally come to a conclusion and U...

“We are very happy this long process has finally come to a conclusion and U.S. beef can once again be exported to Japan. This has been a trying time for us, but also especially challenging to the many Japanese companies and individuals who have both relied on and also enjoyed our products for nearly three decades.

“The government of Japan, through its Food Safety Commission, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare (MHLW), has completed an exhaustive review of U.S. beef and found it safe. Today’s announcement by MHLW that Japan is again open to U.S. beef should be the signal to Japanese consumers that they can be confident in our products.

“We wish to thank the Japanese officials who have so thoughtfully and thoroughly reviewed U.S. beef safety systems and protocols and found them meeting or exceeding their high standards. We also wish to thank our many customers and friends who have stood beside us during this rigorous examination.

“The U.S. beef industry now looks forward to supplying safe beef to the Japanese market that meets the stringent criteria of Japanese and U.S. regulators. Despite the discovery of only two cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in our herd, the U.S. government and industry have taken dramatic steps to assure that risk materials, such as brain and spinal cord, are carefully removed from all cattle harvested in the United States. In addition, every supplier must agree to the conditions of the export verification program developed by the Japanese government before they can supply beef to Japan. These additional requirements, such as providing beef only from animals 20 months of age or younger, are monitored and rigidly enforced by the U.S. government and will be confirmed by the government of Japan. Finally, the U.S. beef industry is prepared to address any and all consumer questions regarding our products.

“For nearly 30 years, Japanese consumers have appreciated the great taste, consistent high quality and great value they have found in U.S. beef. We now look forward to the day very soon when they will be able to have this experience again.”

The U.S. Meat Export Federation 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, lamb, corn, sorghum and soybean checkoff programs.

– USMEF –