News Update

News Update
May 30, 2006

Senators Call for End to Japan and Korean Beef Embargoes

Thirty-one U.S. Senators sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Japan and the Ambassador of Korea urging them to resume trade in U.S. beef. The letter urged Japan to resume trade prior to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s visit in June. The senators signed a similar letter requesting the Republic of Korea reopen its market prior to negotiations on a free-trade agreement with the United States.

The letter to the Prime Minister outlines that “despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the safety of American beef and an agreement between the United States and the Government of Japan, the embargo on beef from the United States still exists.”

Similarly, the letter to the Ambassador of Korea provides “many American cattle and beef groups have emphasized the importance of regaining full access to the Korean market as part of any free-trade agreement. We believe that it would be essentially impossible to garner the necessary support for a free-trade agreement with Korea if it does not include access for all beef and beef products, including bone-in and offals.”

Prior to the embargoes, Japan and Korea were the No. 1 and No. 3 international markets for American beef and beef products, respectively. With the exception of temporary trade with Japan earlier this year, these markets have been closed for more than 29 months.

The senators also pointed out that many American cattle producers and processors have urged Congress to consider trade retaliations if the embargoes are not lifted. U.S. beef represents the single-largest segment of American agriculture, accounting for roughly 20¢ of every agriculture dollar, and generating $3 billion a year in export business.

Senator Jim Talent (R-Mo.), agriculture subcommittee chairman on marketing, inspection and product promotion and signatory, said, “we’ve been patient working with Japan and Korea for years and their prohibition of American beef is unfounded. It is time for these countries to lift their unwanted embargoes on our beef.”

The letters can be viewed at www.meatami.com/storylinks/2006/JapanKorea052606.pdf.

AMI Educates Plant Employees, Media About Avian Influenza

The American Meat Institute last Friday unveiled brochures about avian influenza and occupational safety designed for employees working in poultry plants and grow-out operations. The brochures, available in English and Spanish, may be downloaded from the Avian Influenza Center on http://www.MeatAMI.com. These latest brochures supplement consumer-oriented avian influenza brochures published in English and Spanish that are also downloadable from the AMI Web site.

In an effort to educate the media about poultry safety, AMI last week sent avian influenza information kits to nearly 1,500 journalists nationwide.

“We learned from our experience with BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) that in order to enhance coverage during a potential crisis, it is important to speak to media in advance, and that’s what we are trying to do with our media outreach efforts,” said Janet Riley, AMI senior vice president of public affairs and professional development.

The Institute is using special print and radio releases to reassure the public about poultry safety. Riley says these releases have run nationwide to audiences that already total more than 30 million people, with additional placements coming in daily. Riley said the institute also has done outreach in Spanish to Spanish media outlets.

— adapted from new releases provided by AMI
For more information visit www.meatami.com.