Senators press Japan to fully open its market to U.S. beef in light of Japan’s interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., along with 25 of their colleagues, recently sent a bi-partisan letter to President Obama requesting he encourage Japanese leaders to fully open their market and relax restrictions on U.S. beef before Japan is considered for  inclusion in Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.

“American farmers and ranchers produce the highest quality agricultural products in the world. When given the opportunity to compete on a level playing field, they will thrive, creating more jobs and revenue at home while providing foreign customers affordable access to our products across the world.  Japan’s agricultural sector stands in stark contrast as one of the most highly protected in the world.  If Japan asks for inclusion in the TPP negotiations, we encourage you to press Japanese leaders to immediately relax its restrictions on U.S. beef to be fully consistent with World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines and reopen its market,” the senators wrote.  

The letter states, “Given Japan’s historical intransigence in allowing market access for American agricultural goods, we write to express reservations regarding Japan’s inclusion in these negotiations until conditions are met. In addition to prohibitively high tariffs on many agricultural goods, Japan has discriminated against U.S. beef imports with restrictions that are inconsistent with international standards and not based on scientific criteria.”

For the full letter, click here.

###