05/18/07 Japan Still Not Budging & Immigration Deal

BUSH: After weeks of long work, these negotiations came to a successful conclusion. That's President Bush talking about a new immigration reform agreement. BUSH: The agreement reached today is one that'll help enforce our borders but equally importantly it'll treat people with respect. This is a bill where people who live here in our country will be treated without amnesty but without animosity. The deal will grant quick legal status to millions of illegal immigrants and bolster the border against the tide of new illegals through the issuance of a new Z-Visa. Illegal immigrants would be required to pay a $5000 fine, pay back taxes and be required to go back to their own home to apply for an immigration stamp paving the way for legalization. The bill is of course getting mixed reviews but at least there is some significant progress to report. Now - it appears that Japan is just digging their feet in on the cattle issue. The Japanese Ag Minister has rejected a request to eliminate the cattle age limit for imports. US Ag Secretary Mike Johanns is asking that Japan accept an expected designation by the World Organization for Animal Health - also known as the OIE - and allow beef from animals of all ages but so far Japan remains firm on limiting imports from cattle 20 months old and younger. Now here's today's Washington Grange Report. (GRANGE) That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.