Grassley Asks Vice President to Raise U.S. Beef Trade With Japan

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, today sent the following letter to Vice President Dick Cheney.

The Honorable Richard B. Cheney
Vice President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. Vice President:

I am writing with regard to your upcoming visit to Japan. While there, I suggest that youdiscuss the issue of Japan’s prohibition on the importation of U.S. beef.

Following the detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in one cow inWashington in December 2003, Japan banned the importation of beef from the United States. I amconcerned that Japan’s requirements for the resumption of U.S. beef imports are not necessarilybased on science, and thus might not conform with Japan’s obligations under the World TradeOrganization. I encourage you to empha to Japanese officials that Japan's policies regarding U.S.beef must be science-based.

The United States continues to take extensive measures to ensure the safety of beef both forthe domestic and export markets, and Japan’s consumers would benefit from the resumption of tradeof this safe product. Likewise, cattle producers in all 50 states, including Iowa, would benefit fromrenewed exports to Japan.

I appreciate your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley
Chairman

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