Weekly USMEF Audio Report: Seng Encouraged by Visit from Japan’s Ag Minister, Tone Set by New Government...

Oct. 20, 2009 -  U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Philip Seng is encouraged by the recent visit to the United States by Hirotaka Akamatsu, the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for Japan. Minister Akamatsu met with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk earlier this month in Washington, D.C.

The discussion focused on both countries’ desire to reach a successful conclusion to the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) and on other issues affecting agricultural trade. Among the specific topics discussed was Japan’s restriction of U.S. beef imports to beef from cattle 20 months of age and younger. Seng said resolving this issue is critical to U.S. beef producers and absolutely necessary if U.S. beef exports are to reach their full potential in Japan. Seng added that despite speculation that Japan’s new ruling party might be more challenging to deal with on agricultural trade, he has been very encouraged by the tone and actions taken by the new government in the early days of its administration.

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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.

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