06/29/06 US beef plants get Japanese visitors

The Japanese have sent their representatives to the United States to audit beef plants and clear them to resume exports. One of those plants to be inspected is the Tyson facility south of Boise. US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns says so far so good. JOHANNS "It appears like we're moving along well through the audits and I haven't been made away of any significant problems that have developed either in the audits or the process to move them through the audits." So that there is no misunderstanding Johanns told reporters that the Japanese audits don't change anything right now, American beef is still banned for import into Japan. JOHANNS "I especially didn't want anyone on the hill, on the House or Senate side to feel that they were being misled that somehow I had reached an agreement and beef was moving back into Japan. It is not." So what happens if the Japanese say an American plant has problems and won't meet Japanese standards? JOHANNS "We simply are going to take action on our own to make sure they're not part of the original group. That really I see as a United States decision." 27 US Senators have sent a letter to the President of China. They want beef trade to be restored and for the Chinese to honor a promise that they would allow US beef imports by the end of June. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott