What are your thoughts on beef trade with Japan
It is said optimism is building on U.S./Japanese beef trade agreements. Most recently, after completing a successful audit of U.S. plants, Japan has agreed to discontinue inspections of entire U.S. beef shipments. With this news, Phil Seng with the U.S. Meat Export Federation anticipates a doubling of U.S. beef exports compared to the current level as the 100 percent testing policy has been a huge limiting factor to the pace of U.S. beef exports. As America’s beef producers, what are your thoughts out in cattle country on the lengthy process toward resolving the beef trade issue?
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May 3rd, 2007 at 9:33 am
This would already be resolved if the USDA would not have illegally prevented Creekstone from providing the customer with what they requested…100% testing.
The USDA and Bush administration are controlled by big packers. If the trade with Japan is improved, it is only a matter of time before its closed agian. The USDA continues to support the packers with further opening of the Canadian border to cheap Canadian cattle and they can’t even control the limited imports we currently have which is why some Canadian cattle went through the sale barn recently. When the USDA passes the new import rule, it wll only be a short time before another BSE infected Canadian cow shows up in the USA and our borders will be shut again.
Thank the good Lord that COOL is coming where consumers here will have a choice and can finally offer support for the US producer. It will only be a matter of time after COOL is implimented before the prepared food industry follows and then we will finally see the difference between the Canadian raised beef and the USA producer raised beef. Look at the current natural market growth. The consumer will pay for quality and food safety. I don’t think you will see a lot of grocery store space dedicated to Canadian beef with BSE reported every couple of months nor will you see McDonalds advertising is 100% all Canadian BEEF burger. Creekstone should move forward with 100% testing and they will control the Japan market in the near future.
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