The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) has been working to increase demand for U.S. red meat in Japan for 30 years. To celebrate, USMEF conducted a whirlwind of activities in July, encouraging Japanese consumers to give U.S. red meat a try.

These activities included major league Hall of Fame baseball pitcher Nolan Ryan visiting Japan to “pitch” U.S. meat. Ryan, now a U.S. beef producer, delivered U.S. beef’s high quality and safety messages to baseball fans, supermarket shoppers and children. The following video news release and extra comments were developed from this effort.

Television media: if you have not already received broadcast quality copies of this VNR and would like to, please contact Baxter Communications at (317) 638-2338.

Video News Release (2:03)

Extra Comment 1 (:53) – Ryan talks about expanding access for U.S. beef in international markets through USMEF promotions and activities that build demand for beef products.

Extra Comment 2 (:32) – Ryan says he is so confident in the safety of U.S. beef that he regularly serves it to his children and grandchildren. He wanted to deliver the message to Japanese consumers that they can serve U.S. beef to their families with confidence.

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 –