06/12/06 A symbolic gesture at Japan on beef

American Rancher June 12, 2006 Nebraska Democratic Senator Ben Nelson had threatened to introduce retaliatory legislation against Japan if it didn't reopen its markets to U.S. beef by June 1st. Japan didn't reopen and Nelson last week introduced a bill. Nelson: "And as I said further delay must be met with some action. And the legislation I propose would ultimately close our markets to their beef. Now I understand it is a small economic impact but a very important symbolic and meaningful step that the Japanese will understand. I am hopeful that the visit by the Prime Minister later this month will result in the resumption of beef trade so it is unnecessary to move forward with my legislation." Nelson himself says he opposes efforts to impose more stringent sanctions against Japan, but some of his colleagues would. Nelson: "Some members would like to take my legislation and move it even farther. In other words bring other things into some kind of trade sanctions. So I hope we get the beef trade resumed with something very definitive with the Prime Minister when he visits here later this month." Even Nelson's symbolic bill faces uncertain prospects on the Senate floor, if it ever comes up for a vote. I'm Bob Hoff.