Senators Kent Conrad, D-ND, and Pat Roberts, R-KS, are introducing bipartisan legislation regarding the 22-month ban on U.S. beef going into Japan in effort to regain this valuable market for America's cattle ranchers. The bill calls for tariffs on Japanese products if Japan does not reopen its important domestic market to U.S. beef.

"U.S. beef is among the safest in the world," says Sen. Conrad. "There is no scientific basis for Japan to continue blocking our exports. If Japan does not accept our beef, we will impose tariffs to compensate for the damage they have caused our ranchers, who are suffering from Japan's trade embargo. The time has come for Japan to live up to its commitments and reopen its borders to American-grown beef."

"Despite the efforts of even the highest office in our nation's government, Japan continues to keep American beef out of their country," says Sen. Roberts. "This week, the Japanese Food Safety Commission again failed to reach an agreement to remove the blockade to U.S. beef imports. And to add insult to injury, four of the Commission's twelve members did not even show up. I am troubled that our negotiations with Japan have deteriorated to this point."

The Senate legislation will require the U.S. Department of Treasury to implement additional tariffs on goods grown, produced or manufactured in Japan unless the U.S. Trade Representative certifies that Japan has reopened its market to American beef by December 15, 2005.

"Cleary, Senate leaders are detecting the intense level of frustration from cattle producers across the countryside, and like us they are frustrated with the inactivity of the Japanese Food Safety Commission," says National Cattlemen's Beef Association president and Texas cattle producer Jim McAdams. "We know the possibility of renewed trade with Japan is on the horizon, and we support any efforts from the Senate impelling Japan's FSC to expedite the process."

Cosponsors of the legislation include Sens. Wayne Allard, R-CO; Max Baucus, D-MT; Kit Bond, R-MO; Sam Brownback, R-KS; Conrad Burns, R-MT; Saxby Chambliss, R-GA; Norm Coleman, R-MN; John Cornyn, R-TX; Larry Craig, R-ID; Mike Crapo, R-ID; Byron Dorgan, D-ND; Mike Enzi, R-WY; Tim Johnson, D-SD; Blanche Lincoln, D-AR; Harry Reid, D-NV; Ken Salazar, D-CO; Jim Talent, R-MO; Craig Thomas, R-WY; and John Thune, R-SD.

"America produces some of the highest quality beef in the world," says Sen. Thune. "Our standard for excellence is respected by nations worldwide, and Japan should be no exception. Our cattle and ranching industries are a source of pride for America and a key component of U.S. economic growth and global competitiveness. Japanese leaders must follow through with the good-faith commitment they made last year to resume imports."

"Japan has chosen to ignore internationally recognized science and has instead based its food safety on emotional, politically-driven arguments," says Roberts. "Free trade is a two-way street. More importantly, in the context of the pending negotiations in the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization, I urge my colleagues to support this bill because it sends the message to American producers that we will stand up for American agriculture in our trade negotiations."

NCBA is urging members of the Senate to support this legislation and asking members of the House of Representatives to take up Rep. Jerry Moran's (R-KS) House Resolution 137, which calls for the U.S. Trade Representative to immediately impose retaliatory trade sanctions against Japan if it continues to delay meeting its obligations as part of the understanding reached October 2004.

"I think I speak for all cattlemen when I say it's time," says McAdams. "Through NCBA, cattlemen have continued to loudly express their frustrations with this non-science based trade ban. These senators' leadership is appreciated."

For more information from NCBA regarding the Japanese embargo, including a timeline of events, go to: http://hill.beef.org/japan.