It's been a long road. Since that December day, nearly two years ago now, countless U.S. representatives have made countless trips to Japan to restore an important export market for beef producers.

We have talked, and talked and talked some more. We have improved our bovine spongiform encephalopathy testing procedures. We have followed international standards.

And, in October of last year, we agreed to a framework agreement for reopening the trade between Japan and the United States.

The U.S. has continued to follow that path and on Aug. 18, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced plans to open our borders to Japanese beef. The announcement marks the beginning of the rule-making process.

The problem, however, is that Japan has neglected to follow through on their end of the deal. Consequently, the issue has cattle producer organizations aligned on an issue for once, albeit for different reasons.

"NCBA will not support finalization of this proposed rule until Japan has completed its process and accepts beef from the United States," said Jim McAdams, NCBA president, in a statement.

Likewise R-CALF USA expressed disappointment with the ruling. "This is another example of the USDA tilting the playing field away from independent U.S. cattle producers by continuing to give market access before we gain market access," said Leo McDonnell, R-CALF president.

The U.S. has considerably more to gain. Before the ban we were importing approximately 19,000 pounds of Japanese beef. On the other hand, Japan was importing an average of 976 million pounds. That's quite a difference.

While Japanese beef imports are a fraction of what we export, it is necessary that both sides of the trade street move at the same time.

Understandably Japan wants to ensure the safety of U.S. beef, but following the framework agreement, the process should be underway. From this side of the road it seems the process has stalled. And for no scientific reason.

The road must stay closed to Japan until they recognize that trade is a two-way street, with the same rules for both sides of the road.

Holly Martin can be reached by phone at 1-800-452-7171 ext. 1806 or e-mail at hmartin@hpj.com.

Date: 8/24/05