Japan-U.S. Beef Trade Issues

Publication Date: April 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Agriculture, forestry and fishing; Trade

Type:

Coverage: Japan

Abstract:

Japan banned imports of U.S. beef in late 2003, when the United States reported the discovery of a single cow with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or "mad cow disease"). U.S. officials had announced in October 2004 that a bilateral agreement meant that Japan, formerly the top foreign market, could soon resume U.S. beef imports. However, despite continuing pressure on the Japanese by the Bush Administration and Members of Congress, U.S. beef sales there are not expected to begin before the summer of 2005 at the earliest. This report will be updated if significant developments ensue.