“The U.S. cattle and beef industries are losing $100 million each month that Japan remains closed to beef,” the letter stated. “The beef industry is a pivotal economic component of many rural communities, and we know the U.S. has the safest food supply in the world. Nevertheless, since December 2003 the U.S. meat industry has lost 10,000 jobs, mostly attributable to lost export markets.”

            Japan halted beef purchases from the U.S. after the December 2003 discovery of a cow with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations committee, says improved testing and public safety precautions imposed by the U.S. since 2003 ensure only the safest product reaches consumers.

            “In the 20 months since an initial case of BSE was diagnosed in the U.S., USDA has implemented new, scientifically sound BSE controls and substantially expanded its surveillance program,” the letter to the President stated. “Numerous members of your Cabinet have discussed the need to resume beef trade with senior Japanese officials and we know that you have personally discussed this matter with Japan’s Prime Minister Koizumi. Yet despite all of these notable efforts, Japan remains closed to U.S. beef.”

            Montana, among other states, has suffered from Japan’s refusal to import U.S. beef.

            “Mr. President, we again commend your Administration’s efforts and your leadership on reopening many important markets to U.S. beef exports,” the letter stated. “Given the importance of this matter to our constituents, we will consider action on measures to address this in the remaining weeks of this Congressional secession.”

 Letter:

The Honorable George W. Bush

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, DC  20500

Dear President Bush:

We appreciate your Administration’s diligent efforts to reopen the Japanese market to U.S. beef exports including your personal intervention.  The Japanese maintenance of this embargo is causing significant economic damage to cattle producers, beef processors, and rural communities, and threatens to cause permanent losses to many of our constituents.  The U.S. cattle and beef industries are losing $100 million each month that Japan remains closed to U.S. beef.   We are writing to urge you to make restoring market access for U.S. beef to Japan your highest economic priority with Japan.

In the 20 months since an initial case of BSE was diagnosed in the U.S., USDA has implemented new, scientifically sound BSE controls and substantially expanded its surveillance program.  These new actions complement other BSE controls dating back to 1989.  Numerous members of your Cabinet have discussed the need to resume beef trade with senior Japanese officials and we know that you have personally discussed this matter with Japan’s Prime Minister Koizumi.  Yet despite all of these notable efforts, Japan remains closed to U.S. beef. 

The beef industry is a pivotal economic component of many rural communities, and we know the U.S. has the safest food supply in the world.  Nevertheless, since December 2003 the U.S. meat industry has lost 10,000 jobs, mostly attributable to lost export markets.  That is why we must do all we can to ensure stability in the market and trade based on internationally accepted scientific principles, which includes resuming trade with Japan as soon as possible.  Making the resumption of trade your highest economic priority with Japan will send a clear signal of the importance of resolving this bilateral economic issue. 

Mr. President, we again commend your Administration’s efforts and your leadership on reopening many important markets to U.S. beef exports.  As your team continues to restore market access for beef around the world, we urge you to make the restoration of U.S. beef trade with Japan your highest economic priority with Japan.  Given the importance of this matter to our constituents, we will consider action on measures to address this in the remaining weeks of this Congressional session.

Thank you in advance for your immediate consideration of this request.