[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 35 (Thursday, March 11, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1462-S1463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 452--SUPPORTING INCREASED MARKET ACCESS FOR EXPORTS
OF UNITED STATES BEEF AND BEEF PRODUCTS TO JAPAN
Mr. JOHANNS (for himself, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Roberts,
Mr. Brownback, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr.
[[Page S1463]]
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:
S. Res. 452
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.
Mr. JOHANNS. Mr. President, I rise to offer a resolution supporting
increased access for U.S. beef and beef products to the country of
Japan. Let me step back and set the stage for this resolution.
On December 23, 2003, one cow was discovered in the United States
with BSE, the disease sometimes referred to in a kind of slang way as
``mad cow disease.'' Even though that animal was actually born in
Canada, the reaction of our trading partners around the world was swift
and devastating. Almost immediately, Japan and other countries closed
their markets to U.S. beef. Virtually with the snap of a finger, we
lost over 90 percent of our export market. It just disappeared. At the
time, Japan was the largest export market for U.S. beef. It had a value
to our producers of $1.4 billion.
We began work to address BSE in this country dating all the way back
to 1988, when the Department of Agriculture established a BSE committee
to make recommendations on appropriate regulatory controls. Our
government has developed and implemented a multilayered system of
interlocking safeguards to ensure the safety of American beef. After
the 2003 BSE discovery, we added even more safeguards. These efforts by
our government, in coordination with U.S. cattle producers, have paid
off. A 2006 study by USDA found that BSE was virtually nonexistent
among the 40 million adult cattle in our country. Again in 2007, the
World Organization for Animal Health, the internationally recognized
standard-setting body, also known as OIE, classified the United States
as a ``controlled risk'' country for BSE. This classification simply
means that because of the expansive system of safeguards that are in
place, U.S. beef is safe for export and for consumption.
Interestingly enough, that is the identical classification the OIE
gave to Japan just last year. So as Japan asked their trading partners
to treat them fairly under OIE standards, we are asking them to reopen
their market for our beef.
Seven years have passed. We have proven, time and again, the
effectiveness of our safety system. The Japanese still restrict most
U.S. beef products. Japan's actions are not consistent with fair
trading practices, nor with the U.S. treatment of Japan's imports. That
is why I agreed to meet last week with the Japanese Ambassador to
discuss this matter. I asked the Ambassador: What would happen if the
United States said it doesn't want any more car parts from Japan until
they can assure us that there are absolutely no defects? That is
essentially what it has done to our beef industry. If we in the United
States said we would never do anything in response to the current
Toyota situation that they have not already done to us, that would not
be a good deal for Japan when it comes to exports. Their treatment of
our beef has cost our Nation's beef industry billions of dollars and
has been economically devastating to States such as mine, the State of
Nebraska. If we treated their products the same way, it would be
equally as devastating to Japan because we are a major importer of
Japanese goods. Over the last 6 years, the United States has purchased,
on average, over $132 billion in Japanese goods annually. In 2009
alone, even in the midst of a global economic downturn, the United
States purchased $95.9 billion of products from Japan. Cars led the
way. We purchased $31.5 billion in vehicles and parts. Beyond that, we
bought $19.5 billion in nuclear reactors, machinery, and parts. Just
over $15 billion worth of electronics we bought from Japan, another $5
billion in optic, photo, medical or surgical instruments, and dozens
and dozens of other products that add up to another $25 billion.
I wish to make something clear. I am not advocating that the United
States close its borders to Japan's products. Japan is a valued friend.
But what I do say I say directly and with the resolution: Sanctions on
our beef do not represent the act of a friend nor that of a fair
trading partner. There is simply no scientific justification for their
restrictions, none whatsoever, a point my friends from Japan cannot
deny. Quite honestly, Japan's standard of accepting only beef from
cattle aged 20 months and younger was pulled out of thin air. It is
nothing more than an economic sanction.
I have been dealing with this issue for nearly 7 years, first as the
Governor of Nebraska, then as our Agriculture Secretary, and now as a
Senator. My confirmation hearing before this body to become Secretary
of Agriculture was dominated by one topic: Opening Japan's borders to
our beef.
I come forward to offer this sense-of-the-Senate resolution. The
resolution does not say we want to keep Japanese products out of the
United States. It is in the interest of neither the United States nor
Japan to arbitrarily restrict market access for friends and close
partners. We are both with Japan. Trade between the United States and
Japan should be conducted with mutual respect and based on sound
science, something we haven't seen from Japan in this area in the last
7 years. My resolution does say that both Japan and the United States
should comply with science-based standards. It also states the Obama
administration should insist on increased access for U.S. beef and beef
products to Japan.
Very simply, it is time for fair treatment from our friends in Japan.
I will continue to press this issue. I ask my colleagues to join me in
supporting a resolution that basically says trade should be fair.
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