Agreement

<a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_JAPAN_MAD_COW?SITE=MTBIL&SECTION=BUSINESS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT">Japan agrees to lift ban on U.S. beef</a><br />n<br />n<blockquote>Japan agreed Wednesday to lift its ban on U.S. beef imports, pending planned inspections of U.S. meat processing plants, the agriculture ministry said. The Asian nation imposed the ban over concerns about mad cow disease.</blockquote><br />n<br />nI am glad to see that this long running problem is being resolved. Now comes the part that will be harder than opening up the market, convincing the Japanese consumer that US beef is safe. Activists have been beating them over the head with information claiming US beef isn't safe so opening the market doesn't mean we swill get our share back. It will need worked for.<br />n<br />nIt is nice to see the market opened finally though and progress being made.<br />n<br />n<strong>All progress has resulted from people who took unpopular positions. Adlai E. Stevenson</strong>