Fischer Statement on Japan Lifting U.S. Beef Export Restrictions

Statement

Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Japan has lifted restrictions on U.S. beef exports:

"Nebraskans produce some of the most high-quality and delicious beef in the world. It's great to hear that Japan has lifted the restrictions on U.S. beef exports, increasing opportunities for our state's ag producers. I thank Secretary Perdue for his hard work on this front and look forward to continuing to work with him to expand market access for Nebraska agriculture products."

In March 2016, Senator Fischer led a congressional delegation visit to Japan and met with Prime Minister Shinz? Abe. Additionally, Fischer had breakfast in Washington, D.C., with Abe in February 2017 to discuss the export restrictions.

More from USDA:

In December 2003, Japan banned U.S. beef and beef products following the detection of a BSE-positive animal in the United States. In December 2005, Japan restored partial access for U.S. beef muscle cuts and offal items from cattle 20 months of age and younger. In February 2013, Japan extended access to include beef and beef products from cattle less than 30 months of age.

In April 2017, Japan eliminated its age-based BSE testing on domestic Japanese cattle, paving the way for similar age-based restrictions to be lifted on negligible BSE-risk trading partners, including the United States. On January 15, 2019, Japan's Food Safety Commission (FSC) concluded eliminating the age restriction for beef from the United States, Canada and Ireland posed a negligible risk to human health. Based on the FSC risk assessment, Japan began consultations with the United States to revise its import requirements in order to align with the BSE guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

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