[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 452 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 452

 Supporting increased market access for exports of United States beef 
                      and beef products to Japan.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 11, 2010

Mr. Johanns (for himself, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Roberts, Mr. 
   Brownback, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. 
Conrad, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Thune, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. 
Bond, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Risch, Mr. Bennet, Mr. 
  Udall of New Mexico, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Voinovich, and Mr. 
 Coburn) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                          Committee on Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting increased market access for exports of United States beef 
                      and beef products to Japan.

Whereas, in 2003, Japan was the largest market for United States beef, with 
        exports valued at $1,400,000,000;
Whereas, after the discovery of 1 Canadian-born cow infected with bovine 
        spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) disease in the State of Washington in 
        December of 2003, Japan closed its market to United States beef, and 
        still restricts access to a large number of safe United States beef 
        products;
Whereas for years the Government of the United States has developed and 
        implemented a multilayered system of interlocking safeguards to ensure 
        the safety of United States beef, and after the 2003 discovery, the 
        United States implemented further safeguards to ensure beef safety;
Whereas a 2006 study by the United States Department of Agriculture found that 
        BSE was virtually nonexistent in the United States;
Whereas the internationally recognized standard-setting body, the World 
        Organization for Animal Health (OIE), has classified the United States 
        as a controlled risk country for BSE, which means that United States 
        beef is safe for export and consumption;
Whereas, from 2004 through 2009, United States beef exports to Japan averaged 
        roughly $196,000,000, less than 15 percent of the amount the United 
        States sold to Japan in 2003, causing significant losses for United 
        States cattle producers; and
Whereas, while Japan remains an important ally and trading partner of the United 
        States, this unscientific trade restriction is not consistent with fair 
        trade practices, nor with United States treatment of Japanese imports: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
            (1) it is not in the interest of either the United States 
        or Japan to arbitrarily restrict market access for their close 
        partners;
            (2) trade between the United States and Japan should be 
        conducted with mutual respect and based on sound science;
            (3) since banning United States beef in December 2003, 
        Japan has not treated United States beef producers fairly;
            (4) both Japan and the United States should comply with 
        guidelines based on sound science;
            (5) Japan should immediately expand market access for 
        United States exporters of both bone-in and boneless beef 
        beyond the existing standard of beef from cattle 20 months and 
        younger; and
            (6) the President should insist on increased access for 
        United States exporters of beef and beef products to the market 
        in Japan.
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