[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 544 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 544

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                 May 27 (legislative day, May 26), 2010

 Mr. Baucus (for himself, Mr. Johanns, Mrs. Lincoln, Mrs. Murray, Mr. 
 Nelson of Nebraska, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bingaman, and Mr. 
 Roberts) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


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

Whereas in 2003, United States beef exports to China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, 
        South Korea, Mexico, and Vietnam were valued at $3,300,000,000.
Whereas after the discovery of 1 Canadian-born cow infected with bovine 
        spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) disease in the State of Washington in 
        December 2003, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Mexico, and 
        Vietnam, among others, closed their markets to United States beef;
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 all United States 
        beef and beef products from cattle of all ages is safe for export and 
        consumption;
Whereas China continues to prohibit imports of all beef and beef products from 
        the United States;
Whereas Japan has opened its market for United States exporters of beef and beef 
        products from cattle less than 21 months of age, but has not yet opened 
        its market for all United States beef and beef products from cattle of 
        all ages;
Whereas Hong Kong has opened its market for United States exporters of deboned 
        beef from cattle less than 30 months of age, but has not yet opened its 
        market for all United States beef and beef products from cattle of all 
        ages;
Whereas Taiwan has opened its market for United States exporters of deboned and 
        bone-in beef and certain offal products from cattle less than 30 months 
        of age and has agreed to open, but has not yet opened, its market for 
        all United States beef and beef products from cattle of all ages;
Whereas South Korea has opened its market for United States exporters of beef 
        and beef products from cattle less than 30 months of age and has agreed 
        to open eventually, but has not yet opened, its market for all United 
        States beef and beef products from cattle of all ages;
Whereas Mexico has opened its market for United States exporters of deboned and 
        bone-in beef and certain offal from cattle less than 30 months of age, 
        but has not yet opened its market for all United States beef and beef 
        products from cattle of all ages;
Whereas Vietnam has opened its market for United States exporters of beef and 
        beef products from cattle less than 30 months of age, but has not yet 
        opened its market for all United States beef and beef products from 
        cattle of all ages;
Whereas between 2004 through 2009, United States beef exports declined due to 
        these restrictions, causing significant revenue losses for United States 
        cattle producers, for example, United States beef exports to Japan and 
        South Korea averaged less than 15 percent of the amount the United 
        States sold to Japan and South Korea in 2003; and
Whereas, while China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Mexico, and Vietnam 
        remain important trading partners of the United States, unscientific 
        trade restrictions are not consistent with their trade obligations: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
            (1) sanitary measures affecting trade in beef and beef 
        products between the United States and China, Japan, Hong Kong, 
        Taiwan, South Korea, Mexico, and Vietnam should be based on 
        science;
            (2) since banning United States beef in December 2003, 
        China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Mexico, and 
        Vietnam have, to varying degrees, failed to comply with 
        internationally recognized scientific guidelines with respect 
        to United States beef and beef products
            (3) China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Mexico, 
        and Vietnam should fully comply with internationally recognized 
        scientific guidelines;
            (4) China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Mexico, 
        and Vietnam should open their markets to United States 
        exporters of all beef and beef products from cattle of all 
        ages, consistent with OIE guidelines; and
            (5) the President should continue to insist on full access 
        for United States exporters of beef and beef products to the 
        markets in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, 
        Mexico, and Vietnam.
                                 <all>