Timeline: U.S. - Japan Negotiations to End Japanese Beef Embargo

Transcription

1 NCBA Fact Sheet, December 2005 December 23, 2003 USDA announces the discovery of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in a Canadian-born Holstein cow from Washington state. December 24, 2005 Japan immediately closed its borders to U.S. beef after the discovery of BSE in Washington state. It is also understood that, in some cases, if the U.S. company could absorb the product back into their system in the States, this was done; otherwise, the product was diverted. December 29-30, 2003 Then-Special Trade Advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture, David Hegwood, leads an interagency team to Japan to brief the Japanese government on the actions taken by the U.S. in response to the first case. The interagency team also meets with Japanese importers and the press to talk about the safety of U.S. beef. January 2004 Ninety percent of the $3.862 billion beef and beef variety meat export market closed to U.S. product. Reopening these export markets to beef trade is an absolute top priority for NCBA. The USDA is meeting on a technical and diplomatic level with all major trading partners. January 12, The USDA-FSIS publishes four new regulations as a result of the Dec. 23 BSE announcement. The rules govern four key issue areas: 1) Product Holding, 2) Specified Risk Materials and Non-ambulatory Disabled Cattle, 3) Advanced Meat Recovery, and 4) Airinjection Stunners. January 21-24, 2004 Dr. J.B. Penn, Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, leads an interagency team to Japan to begin a discussion about the resumption of beef trade. February 2004 Then-U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick travels to Japan to meet with top Japanese trade officials and discusses beef trade issues. February 4, 2004 The U.S. International Review Subcommittee (IRT) of the Secretary s Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases presents the results of their review of USDA s BSE response to the full Committee. March 2004 The USDA invites Japanese officials and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to engage in a science-based discussion on BSE. Then USDA Secretary Ann Veneman sends a letter to Japanese Agriculture Minister Yoshiyuki Kamei proposing the two countries take their debate to OIE experts. March 2004 Then-NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Chandler Keys travels with Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee,

2 members of his staff, and a delegation of U.S. agriculture representatives and national industry groups through Japan, China and Thailand to meet with top government officials about beef trade issues. March 3 & 5, 2004 The USDA announces that Mexican Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock Rural Development, Fish, and Food Usabiaga has decided to reopen the Mexican market to U.S. boneless boxed beef under 30 months of age. Two days later on March 5, the first U.S. companies were approved as eligible suppliers to USDA s AMS Beef Export Verification (BEV) program for Mexico for boneless beef. March 15, 2004 The USDA announces details of the expanded surveillance effort for BSE in the United States. March 26, The USDA releases its response to the International Review Team (IRT) report on the Dec. 23 case of BSE reiterating that the U.S. is very low risk for BSE and that trade in beef, beef products and live cattle can be resumed safely. This is an important step in the process toward resuming trade in all of our export markets. All countries that import U.S. beef who are members of the OIE were sent copies of the report and official letters requesting they resume beef trade with the U.S. April 9 & 15, 2005 Mexican Agriculture Minister Usabiaga informs the USDA of the new requirements for the importation of selected variety meats, veal and tallow into Mexico. On the 15, the first U.S. companies are approved as eligible suppliers to the BEV program for Mexico for these products. April 10-13, Vice President Dick Cheney visits Japan. Correspondences from no less than 13 key Senators are sent to the Vice President s office asking him to make resumption of beef trade with Japan a priority discussion item during his trip. In his meetings with Japanese officials, the Vice President urges Japanese agricultural officials to lift the ban on U.S. beef imports. April 24, A cross-agency team of respected U.S. government and technical officials led by Under Secretary JB Penn visits Japan to review U.S. regulations as they pertain to BSE and the changes that have been made to U.S. regulations since December 30, 2003, most notably those pertaining to specified risk materials. The two sides are now expected to begin the process of agreeing upon a science-based resolution that resumes beef trade between the two countries. May 6, Twenty-one countries have opened markets for U.S. beef products. 135 countries never closed their borders to U.S. beef as a result of the single BSE case found in a Canadian-born cow in Washington State. May 17-18, 2004 In Japan, the first U.S. and Japan Technical Working Group meetings are conducted regarding beef trade issues. The group visits a Japanese plant and conducts an open dialogue on BSE surveillance and control systems. Page 2

3 May 19, NCBA President and Kansas Cattle Producer Jan Lyons testifies before the House Agriculture Committee on agriculture trade negotiation issues. In her testimony, Lyons states: NCBA s top priority is reopening the remainder of our export markets, which are worth about $15/cwt in the price of a fed steer. We have recovered about $5/cwt but we still have $10/cwt to go. June 1, 2004 The USDA begins its enhanced BSE surveillance program. USDA plans to test over 200,000 U.S. cattle for BSE over months in a one-time increased surveillance program to assess the level of risk. June 28-30, The second set of U.S. and Japanese Technical Working Group discussions are held over three days in Fort Collins, Colorado. The TWG also tours facilities in the area. July 21-22, 2004 The third set of U.S. and Japanese Technical Working Group discussions are held in Japan and conclude with a report that includes descriptive analyses of the situations in Japan and the United States, and summarizes the deliberations of the BSE Technical Working Group. September 2004 A Japanese delegation, lead by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Sasae, meets with Under Secretary Penn regarding the reopening of the Japanese market to U.S. beef and beef products. September 21, 2004 While in New York for United Nations meetings, President Bush meets with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and expresses U.S. expectations for resuming beef exports to Japan. October U.S. and Japanese officials continue talks regarding beef trade issues, and technical teams meet in Fort Collins, Colorado. A delegation of academic specialists and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), and the Cabinet-level Food Safety Commission meet with the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other government agencies to further discuss animal health safeguards and other BSE issues. October U.S. officials meet in Tokyo with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding BSE trade issues. According to the USDA, the two Governments discussed issues related to the resumption of mutual trade of U.S. and Japanese beef, based on the progress made regarding the issues since the Third Consultation that took place on April 24, October 23, 2004 The Government of the United States and the Government of Japan released a joint press statement announcing an agreed upon framework that will result in the resumption of U.S. beef exports to Japan. It is now contingent upon the industry and government officials to fulfilling the requirements of the framework to we can regain full access to these important markets. Page 3

4 November 3, 2004 The USDA's Ag Marketing Service (AMS) hosts a meeting/ teleconference with the industry in Kansas City to explain the requirements needed to support the new Japanese Beef Export Verification (BEV) program. November 15, USDA Secretary Ann Veneman announces that she intends to resign her Cabinet post as soon as a replacement can be confirmed. December 2004 Technical discussions regarding age verification continue between the Japanese and the U.S. in Kansas, where they tour various facilities to gain first-hand knowledge of cattle and beef production in the U.S. December 2004 Technical discussions continue in Japan later in the month with regard to the BEV program. December 20, NCBA Chief Executive Officer Terry Stokes, along with other key leaders from beef industry organizations, travels to Tokyo to meet with several Japanese officials and industry representatives to further progress of U.S./Japan beef trade discussions. December 30, 2004 Following up on a previous discussion, Senator Richard Lugar (IA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sends a letter to Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nobutaka Machimura. In it Senator Lugar asks for his review and perspective about reports that there are difficulties within the relevant Japanese ministries to follow through on the October 23, 2004 shared understanding and framework to resume trade in beef and beef products. January 7, During Mr. Mike Johanns confirmation hearing for USDA Secretary, members of the Senate Ag Committee urge the nominee and the American public about the importance of the Japanese export market to the U.S. beef industry. Nominee Johanns tells the panel that reopening the Japanese and other export market for U.S. beef and beef products would be his top trade priority. January NCBA President Jan Lyons and CEO Terry Stokes are in Washington D.C. for meetings with key White House officials to further discuss issues relating to resumption of beef trade with Japan. January 13, 2005 Eighteen Senators on the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee send a letter to President Bush regarding the ban on U.S. beef. In it they urge the President to make the resumption of beef trade with Japan and other export markets a top priority for his Administration. January 27, 2005 USDA Secretary Mike Johanns meets with the Japanese Ambassador and recaps, "I very specifically requested of the Ambassador that a date certain be set for the resumption of beef trade, and I indicated to him that I would do everything I could from my standpoint to accomplish the goal of beef trading in Japan. I went so far as to say if that Page 4

5 necessitated a team here working 24/7, I would make sure that that happened and that was in place. February 18, 2005 Twenty key Senators send a letter to Japanese Ambassador Ryozo Kato expressing concern that some in his government are intent on stopping any resolution of this issue by using unrealistic requirements and dubious science. They go on to state that, if the Japanese government fails to lift the ban expeditiously, we are afraid that the U.S. Congress may pursue equitable, retaliatory economic actions against Japan. Our preference is to avoid this course of action, but our livestock producers, our industry workforce, and our communities cannot wait a moment longer. February 19, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets with her Japanese counterpart Mr. Nobutaka Machimura. At the meeting, Rice raises the issue of Japan s ban on U.S. beef. February 28, 2005 Thirty key Congressmen and women send a letter to Ambassador Kato as well, expressing similar sentiments about equitable, retaliatory, economic actions again Japan. March 3, Congressman Jerry Moran (KS-2 nd ) introduces House Resolution 137 calling on Japan to meet its trade obligations under the agreement reached in October If Japan fails to abide by the agreement, then the legislation says the U.S. Trade Representative should initiate immediate retaliatory economic measures on Japan. March 9, NCBA sends a letter to USDA Secretary Mike Johanns asking the USDA to seek the OIE designation of provisionally BSE-free for the United States. NCBA is hopeful this designation will further our negotiation power as we continue to seek resumption of trade in our largest export markets. March 9, President Bush speaks with Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi urging Japan to lift its ban on U.S. beef. March 10, In response to President Bush s request to Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi to lift the ban on U.S. beef, Japan officials say they are considering the President s request and discussing cattle age testing issues. March 11, 2005 Thirteen key members of Congress meet with Japanese Ambassador Ryozo Kato to discuss beef trade issues: Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Wayne Allard (R- CO), Robert Bennett (R-UT), Thad Cochran (R-MS), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Chuck Hagel (R-IA), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Ken Salazar (D-CO), John Thune (R-SD), and Congressman Jerry Moran (R-1 st -KS), Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave (R-4 th - CO). March 14, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Minority Member Max Baucus (D-MT) along with Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Conrad Page 5

6 Burns (R-MT), Larry Craig (R-ID), Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Craig Thomas (R-WY), meet with Japanese Ambassador Ryozo Kato to discuss beef trade issues. March 14, A Wall Street Journal editorial addresses Japan s continued ban on U.S. beef and said The fact that science and health experts have exposed the safety concerns as overblown gives cause for concern that this is little more than old-fashioned protectionism at best. March 17, 2005 Senator John Thune (SD) introduces Senate Resolution 87 expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the resumption of beef exports to Japan. The resolution resolves that if the Government of Japan continues to delay meeting its obligations to resume beef imports from the United States under the understanding reached with the United States on October 23, 2004, the United States Trade Representative should immediately impose retaliatory economic measures against Japan. March 17, 2005 USDA s enhanced BSE surveillance program passes its targeted number of 268,500 animals. At this date, 274,148 tests have been conducted with no positive cases reported. Testing 268,500 animals detects BSE at a rate of 1 in 10 million adult cattle at a 99 percent confidence level. APHIS says it will continue its enhanced surveillance program for the month time period. March 17, Linnet F. Deily, U.S. permanent representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) says there is clear and sufficient scientific evidence for Japan to remove restrictions on U.S. beef and beef products in accordance with the WTO sanitary and phytosanitary measures. "Japan's continuing restriction on U.S. beef and beef products raise serious concerns under the WTO agreements," Deily said. The statement reiterates remarks Deilly gave at the WTO in Geneva on March 9. March Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits Japan and urges quick resolution to the Japanese ban on U.S. beef in meetings with her Japanese counterparts. March 28, 2005 The Japanese FSC approves a plan by the Japanese government to change its testing requirements for BSE. Domestic cattle under 21 months of age are deemed a non-risk to consumers and will not be included in further testing. April 1, The Office of the United States Trade Representative releases its annual report regarding foreign trade and investment barriers, and lists the reopening of Japan s market to U.S. beef and beef products as a top priority April 8, 2005 House Ag Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) issues a press statement calling for Japan to end their 16-month ban on U.S. beef products. Last October, our two governments announced that an agreement had been reached that would lead to a resumption of trade Many Members of the Committee, including myself, have been disappointed at the narrow range of products that Japan s negotiators have been willing to consider for import, despite extensive scientific analysis that establishes the safety of a much wider ranger of products. But the terms insisted upon by Japan would represent a beginning to a return to more Page 6

7 normal trade in beef, and our negotiators have been willing to proceed on that basis. Unfortunately, this flexibility has been met with a continued unwillingness on Japan s part to reopen even limited trade. Goodlatte says he hopes the Japanese government will resolve this issue before serious harm is done to the important relationship between our nations. April 25-27, 2005 A group of BSE experts form the United States meet with Japanese experts to discuss the resumption of U.S. beef exports to Japan. The U.S. team also meets with Japanese consumers to explain the safety of the U.S. beef supply to the general public. May Before heading to Canada, Japanese officials visit California and Nebraska to conduct an on-the-ground review and verify what the United States has been doing with regard to SRM removal, feed production and processing regulations and efforts to assure physiological maturity. May 2, 2005 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura and once again Japan s ban on U.S. beef was among the issues discussed. May 3, Japanese press reports indicate that the FSC Prion Subcommittee intends to conclude its discussions on the safety of beef on Friday, May 6, and immediately submit its recommendations to the government. May 6, The FSC recommends to the Japanese government that testing younger animals for BSE is not necessary. This change in Japan s domestic regulations was necessary before deliberations on resuming beef trade with the United States could proceed. May 9-13, 2005 A group of Japanese officials and BSE experts visit the United States to have final discussions on the resumption of U.S. beef exports to Japan. May 18, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Jay Truitt, along with a group of key industry leaders, meets with President Bush. At this meeting, the President outlines his trade agenda for the coming months and assures NCBA that he s willing to put the full weight of the White House behind his trade agenda. May 23-27, 2005 The World Organization of Animal Health (OIE) makes changes in its recommendations for standards on trade status with regards to BSE, as part of its annual meeting. Risk profiles of countries that have experienced BSE in their national herds will now be based on what steps the country is taking to manage the disease. Also, the list of tradable, non-risk products is expanded to include boneless beef. May 31, 2005 The FSC Prion Subcommittee meets for the first time to evaluate the risk of importing beef and beef products from the U.S. and Canada, and determine when imports will be allowed again. The agenda for this first meeting included receiving clarification and background information on the requested risk assessment by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). Page 7

8 June 1, 2005 U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman travels to Japan to further negotiate the resumption of U.S. beef exports to Japan. June 15, 2005 USDA Secretary Johanns and MAFF Minister Shimamura speak via telephone about Japan possibly resuming imports of American beef. June 21, 2005 The FSC Prion Subcommittee convenes its second meeting to review a report on the U.S. inconclusive BSE test, a report on the OIE general session, conduct a Q&A session on the background of the risk assessment request, and propose and deliberate on the procedures of the risk assessment from Committee members. June 24, 2005 The USDA announces that, through its enhanced BSE surveillance program, an animal was identified as positive for BSE. The animal was born and raised in a herd in Texas and was approximately 12 years old. June 30, In the wake of the June 24 BSE announcement, there is little change in beef export market status with most U.S. trading partners. Media reports quote Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi saying the recent case will not affect Japan's decision to resume beef trade with the United States. July 14, Japan s FSC Prion subcommittee meets for a third time to again discuss the procedures of the risk assessment as well as ask questions about data provided by the U.S. and Canada, as well as MHLW and MAFF. The subcommittee cites the need for more data on the second positive case of BSE to make a risk assessment of the U.S. beef supply. July 16, 2005 Secretary Johanns warns Japan that Congress may lose patience and step-up retaliatory pressure if Tokyo fails to lift the import ban. August 1, 2005 The FSC Prion Subcommittee holds its fourth meeting, where they consider a report on the non-definitive BSE test result in the U.S. which was later confirmed negative, discuss additional data provided by the U.S. and Canada, as well as MHLW and MAFF, discuss a check-list table prepared by a committee members, as well as the individual items in the procedures of the risk assessment. August 1, Japan eases its requirement for blanket testing of cattle for BSE. Only those over 20 months of age must now be tested. August 18, The USDA publishes a proposed rule, the Importation of Whole Cuts of Boneless Beef from Japan. The publication of this proposed rule begins the U.S. rule-making process to fulfill our part of the framework agreement announced October 23, 2004 by U.S. and Japanese officials. NCBA will not support finalization of this proposed rule until Japan has completed their domestic process and accepts beef from the United States. Page 8

9 August 24, 2005 The FSC Prion Subcommittee meets for the fifth time and again discusses additional data provided by the United States and Canada, as well as MHLW and MAFF for the risk assessment, receive an explanation of the revised check-list table from the previous meeting, and discuss prevalence of the disease in the U.S. herd as well as how muscle meat would be affected. August 26, 2005 The OIE publishes the new BSE animal health code. Among other things, the code states that boneless skeletal beef from animals less than 30 months of age can be traded regardless of the BSE risk status of its country of origin. September 9, 2005 Ten U.S. Senators send a letter to Secretary Johanns urging reconsideration of the proposed rule on importation of Japanese beef. In the letter they reference the fact that the Japanese FSC had recently announced that it would continue to delay the resumption of beef trade with the United States, despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the safety of the U.S. food supply. They go on to ask that USDA reconsider their proposed rule in light of this. September 11, 2005 In August 2005, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi s post office privatization bill was defeated in the upper house of the Diet. As a result, Koizumi, Japan s longest-serving prime minister in years, called the snap election in hopes of winning a new mandate for reform. In one of Japan s most significant and historic elections to date, Koizumi retained his leadership post with an overwhelming victory. The landslide victory boosts the LDP s standing in the lawmaking lower house by nearly 20 percent and gave them a two-thirds majority. With higher voter turn-out than in recent years, the election verifies Koizumi s support from his constituents. His victory is expected to reshape Japanese politics entirely. September 12, 2005 The FSC Prion Subcommittee holds their sixth meeting where they receive a report on a field investigation of the U.S. and Canadian industries and are presented further data and clarification of the data provided by the U.S. and Canada and MHLW and MAFF. A framework of a draft report was presented and the subcommittee discussed the first half of the draft, which contained the risk assessment on live cattle. Following the meeting, the head of the FSC is reported as saying that cattle in the U.S. are more exposed to mad cow disease than those in Japan, partly due to insufficient regulations on the use of feed. September 13, Eighteen U.S. Senators send a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, urging her to make the resumption of beef trade with Japan of highest economic priority in upcoming international talks. September 13, 2005 On the same day, Senator Ben Nelson (NE) and Congressman Tom Osborne (NE-3 rd ) send a joint letter to Secretary Johanns regarding the Japanese import proposed rule as well. They state, We urge you to delay the proposed rule until such time that Japan completes its process and accepts beef from the United States September 19, NCBA submits comments to USDA s APHIS on the proposed rule, Importation of Whole Cuts of Boneless Beef from Japan. A key point of NCBA s comments Page 9

10 reflect the need for harmonization of regulations and the elimination of trade barriers with Japan. NCBA s comments state NCBA will not support finalization of this proposed rule until Japan has completed its domestic process and accepts beef from the United States. Until both countries can agree to World Organization for Animal Health guidelines, any beef product coming into the United States should meet the same requirements Japan has set for us. September 19, Key Senate leaders send a letter to President Bush urging him to make resumption of beef trade with Japan his highest economic priority. Spearheaded by Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO), the letter says The beef industry is a pivotal economic component of many rural communities, and we know the United States has the safest food supply in the world. The nineteen Senators point to U.S. cattle and beef industry losses totaling over $100 million each month that Japan remains closed to U.S. beef. September 22, The Senate pass H.R. 2744, the FY06 Agriculture Appropriations bill which contained the following amendments related to U.S. beef trade with Japan: - Senators Wayne Allard (R-CO) offer a Sense of the Senate resolution, expressing that, until the Japanese government takes appropriate action to permit the importation of U.S. beef into Japan, the U.S. government should not permit the importation of Japanese beef into the United States. - Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) offers an amendment prohibiting the use of any FY06 funds to finalize the rule, Importation of Whole Cuts of Boneless Beef from Japan, until President Bush certifies to Congress that Japan has granted U.S. beef access to the Japanese market. September 26, Japan s FSC Prion subcommittee meets for a seventh time and were again presented with further data and clarification of the data provided by the U.S. and Canada and MHLW and MAFF. A framework of a draft report was presented again and the subcommittee discussed the second half of the draft, which contained the risk assessment of beef and beef offal. Comments were made in the media that the panel is in no hurry to make a decision. NCBA charges that the Commission, an independent non-government panel, is making unscientific statements about the safety of U.S. beef and feeding misinformation to Japanese consumers. September 26, 2005 One hundred and four U.S. Congressmen and women send a letter to President Bush commending his Administration s efforts and leadership in reopening export markets for U.S. beef and beef products. However, the letter states that Congressional patience is exhausted and legislative remedies are becoming more likely. September 28, NCBA President and Texas cattleman Jim McAdams testifies before the House Ways and Means Committee that there is absolutely no scientific explanation for Japan s continued ban on U.S. beef products. The Committee convened the hearing to review United States-Japan Economic and Trade Relations. Congressman Jerry Moran (KS-2 nd ) also testified before the Committee and delivered a similar message. He encourages his colleagues to cosponsor his resolution, H. Res September 28, 2005 Senator Saxby Chambliss, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee sends a letter to President Bush requesting that his upcoming discussion Page 10

11 with Prime Minister Koizumi include the importance attached to resuming U.S. beef exports to Japan. October 4, 2005 Japan s FSC Prion Subcommittee meets for an eighth time. Again, the Subcommittee is presented with further data and clarification of the data provided by the U.S. and Canada, and MHLW and MAFF. A framework of the second draft report is presented and discussed. Following the meeting, no draft report is issued or forwarded to the full Commission, and no date of a future meeting is cited. October 5, 2005 U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman speaks by telephone with Japanese trade minister Shoichi Nakagawa after the meeting of the FSC Prion Subcommittee on October 4 th. He reiterated that the ban on U.S. beef had been in place far too long and that Japan needs to resume imports as soon as possible. October 7, 2005 Twenty-one influential Senators send a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman on the matter of U.S.-Japan beef trade. In a press statement, Senator Pat Roberts (KS), Chairman of the Select Intelligence Committee who led the effort, released the text of the letter which calls for Portman to use retaliatory measures against Japan s unjustified trade barrier to United States beef. October 7, 2005 Senator Gordon Smith (OR) sends a letter to President Bush urging him to discuss the beef ban with Prime Minister Koizumi when they next meet. October 11, Secretary Mike Johanns says he again pressed Japanese officials for a date that the Japanese market will open to U.S. beef and beef products, but without response. He again expressed that Congress is loosing patience with the situation. October 19, 2005 United States Representative Jerry Moran (KS-2 nd ) speaks on the Floor of the House of Representatives on House Resolution 137, which he introduced in March The resolution, with more than 88 co-sponsors, expresses the sense of the House calling for sanctions if the Japanese government continues to delay the resumption of beef trade with the U.S. October 24, 2005 Japan s FSC Prion Subcommittee meets for the ninth time. The subcommittee presents a draft report on the issue of resuming beef trade with the United States. The report states that beef from cattle under 21 months of age presents a very low food safety risk, but due to concerns of some subcommittee members, the report was not finalized or presented to the government. The committee chair, Yasuhiro Yoshikawa, says hopefully they will finalize their decision at the next meeting, which will most likely be at the end of October or the beginning of November. October 26, 2005 United States Senators Pat Roberts (KS) and Kent Conrad (ND) along with nineteen other Senators introduce a bill (S. 1922) to impose sanctions on Japanese goods if the Japanese market does not reopen to U.S. beef by December 15, Page 11

12 October 27, 2005 Japan s FSC Prion Subcommittee meets for the tenth time. No finalized report is presented to the full committee. October 28, 2005 Japanese Ambassador Ryozo Kato tours two beef processing facilities in Omaha, Nebraska with United States Senator Chuck Hagel (NE). Senator Hagel invited Ambassador Kato on the tour to show him the U.S. beef processing steps and to ensure him of the safety of U.S. beef. October 31, 2005 Japan s FSC Prion Subcommittee meets for the eleventh and final time. The meeting results in a finalized report, which concludes that animals 20 months or younger in the United States are low-risk for having BSE. The subcommittee presents the report to the full Food Safety Commission for review and approval at its next meeting. November 2, 2005 The Japanese Food Safety Commission approves the Prion Subcommittee s report on the safety of U.S. beef, which concludes that there is a low risk of having BSE in U.S. beef. A 28-day public comment period immediately begins, which is required before the health and agriculture ministries can make recommendations to the government on resuming U.S. beef trade to Japan. November 15, 2005 The National Cattlemen s Beef Association and the American Meat Institute send a joint letter to United States President George Bush to ask for a continued push on the U.S-Japan beef trade issue. November 16, 2005 United States President George Bush, on an Asian tour, visits with Japan s Prime Minster Junichiro Koizumi in Tokyo. Among other issues, resuming U.S.-Japan beef trade is discussed, with both leaders hopeful the issue will be resolved soon. November 29, 2005 The 28-day public comment period on Japan s FSC Prion Subcommittee report which concluded that U.S. beef is safe from BSE ends. The FSC begins reviewing the public comments in order to make a final decision on the resumption of beef trade with the United States. December 8, 2005 Japan s Food Safety Commission gives its final approval on the safety of U.S. beef to Japan s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). The next step will be for the two ministries to complete the paperwork and issue a final rule to resuming beef trade with the United States. Page 12