Mixed Signals

Is the beef industry sure getting mixed signals from Japan now. <br />n<br />n<a href="http://www.brownfieldnetwork.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=6A8E3CB0-CCF4-4589-C6AE330B283522DB">Japanese impressed with U.S. meat processors</a><br />n<br />n<blockquote>Japanese officials think the U.S. processes beef perfectly, according to a story from the Dow Jones Newswire. Leaders from Tokyo traveled to Kansas for a first-hand look at processing plants and American slaughter procedures.</blockquote><br />n<br />nSounds real good to me, maybe we can get this market open again. Then I see this.<br />n<br />n<a href="http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20060215a4.html">Most U.S. beef processors safe: LDP team</a><br />n<br />n<blockquote>Most U.S. beef processing facilities looking to export beef to Japan are taking sufficient measures to satisfy the criteria agreed upon between the United States and Japan, an inspection team of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said Tuesday<br />n<br />n"Most facilities are doing enough," Matsuoka told a news conference. "The irresponsible system of the agricultural department has caused a great deal of trouble for diligent factories."</blockquote><br />n<br />nNow all of a sudden I am hearing "most processors" are doing okay with this. Sounds like things are changing a little. It is interesting to note, they blame the <acronym title="United States Department of Agriculture, Bought and Paid for by The Big Meat Packers">USDA</acronym> for the problems we are experiencing. They are part of the problem in my mind but can be the solution if they wish to rouse themselves to it.<br />n<br />nThen finally I hear this.<br />n<br />n<a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/2/14/apworld/20060214161258&sec=apworld">Japan won't lower safety standards for US beef imports</a><br />n<br />n<blockquote> Japan will resist lowering its safety standards for U.S. beef imports, even if an international animal health organization says Tokyo's rules are too strict, the agriculture minister said Tuesday.</blockquote><br />n<br />nTranslated that means if the US takes all scientifically reasonable precautions, Japan still won't let the beef in. Real simple, no matter what we do they are going to block beef imports from the US into Japan. I guess that explains the mixed signals. they don't want to get the US mad so they play like things are looking good even though they plan on keeping the status quo, their border shut.<br />n<br />nI guess I just don't understand what their problem is here. It's not like they raise a lot of beef in Japan. The majority of their imports come from Australia now. What's it going to hurt to open it up to the US too. I guess the enjoy their <a ref="http://nowherethoughts.net/sarpysam/archives/1542-True-Reason-For-Beef-Ban.html">whale meat</a> too much.<br />n<br />n<b>Protectionism is the use of scare tactics, the use of unsound scientific information in an attempt to protect our market. In this case I believe that sound science dictates that it is time to open the border. Christopher Bond</b>