Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) made the following statement after it was announced Japan would ease some restrictions on beef imports from the U.S. Today’s agreement will allow for expanded exports of beef and beef products to Japan, the largest beef market in Asia:
“America’s farmers and ranchers are among the most productive and efficient in the world, producing high quality agriculture products sought by consumers across the globe. The agreement announced earlier today will expand export opportunities for Nebraska’s beef producers and is a step in the right direction to bring down long-standing barriers to U.S. beef.”
The agreement, which was made public earlier today by U.S. Trade Ambassador Ron Kirk and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, means Japan will permit the import of beef from cattle less than 30 months of age beginning February 1, 2013. This increase from the existing limit of 20 months, could result in hundreds of millions of dollars in exports of U.S. beef to Japan in the coming years.
At a Committee on Ways and Means hearing on February 29, 2012, Congressman Smith asked Ambassador Kirk for an update on Japan’s age restrictions on U.S. beef imports, and what was being done to promote science-based food standards in the international marketplace. Click here to view video from the hearing.
No comments:
Post a Comment