Costa Bill Calls for Restrictions on Japanese Beef Imports

WASHINGTON, DC - Pointing out the continued patience of the United States'beef and industry and Congress, Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) todayintroduced legislation calling for "beefed up" restrictions on Japanese beefimports until fair and even-handed trade resumes.

Urging fellow members of the House to join him in "sending astrong message to Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi," who will bevisiting the U.S. next week;Costa introduced HR 5696, which will prohibit the importation of Japanese beefuntil U.S. beef is allowedto be exported into Japan.

In a letter sent to fellow Beef Caucus members, Costareferred to the "overwhelming scientific evidence that U.S. beefremains the safest and best in the world." Those concerned, the Fresno lawmaker noted, "even went one step further thisweek and entered into an agreement that includes unprecedented inspections of U.S.processors by Japanese Officials."

Costa said, "Despite the compromises the U.S. beef industry and Congress have made, Japan remainsambiguous on setting a date upon which to resume trade." "While Japan has had 32 reported cases of BovineSpongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), choice cuts of Japanese beef continue to besold in the U.S.,"Costa argued, "yet, we have no assurance if and when beef trade will resume."

# # #