06/22/06 Cattle exec on Japan and a grazing suit

Washington Ag June 22, 2006 Cautious optimism is how Washington Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice President Jack Field describes the WCA's reaction to Wednesday's news Japan says it will expeditiously resume limited imports of U.S beef after the Japanese complete audits of U.S. meat plants. Field explains why he is somewhat skeptical about the announcement. Field: "In the reports I've seen no where has there been a date that trade would resume yet, so we are a little bit skeptical on that, but quite optimistic that they will follow through since the U.S. has met every scientific measure or criteria set forth by the international community." In other developments, Field says the WCA Executive Committee voted this week to join and financially support a lawsuit against the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge where ranchers who historically grazed their cattle have been forced off their grazing permits. Field: "This is an issue we have to be a part of and participate in as a large number of our members utilize both state and federal lands for their operations and we very strongly support multiple use and livestock grazing on those lands and felt that this was a key issue we needed to support." I'm Bob Hoff.