After completing a successful audit of U.S. plants, Japan has agreed it will discontinue inspections of entire U.S. beef shipments, the two governments said Tuesday (April 24). The following statement is issued by U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Phil Seng regarding the agreement.

“This is welcomed by not only the U.S. beef industry, but also the Japanese trade importing the product.

“USMEF pledges its cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Japanese government to help facilitate and expedite their visits to U.S. plants.

“USMEF forecasts a doubling of U.S. beef exports compared to the current level as the ‘Zenpako Kensa’ or 100 percent testing policy has been a hugely limiting factor to the pace of U.S. beef exports.

“USMEF applauds the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Toshikatsu Matsuoka in reaching this understanding. Their perseverance and resolve to move this issue forward is commendable.

“USMEF will continue to work with Japan’s importers, retail and foodservice industries to promote the safety and wholesomeness of U.S. beef through the ‘We Care’ campaign.”

The U.S. Meat Export Federation is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, lamb, corn, sorghum and soybean checkoff programs.

– USMEF –