Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, today sent the following letter to Vice President Dick Cheney.
April 8, 2004
The Honorable Richard B. Cheney
Vice President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. Vice President:
I am writing with regard to your upcoming visit to Japan. While there, I suggest that you discuss the issue of Japan's prohibition on the importation of U.S. beef.
Following the detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in one cow in Washington in December 2003, Japan banned the importation of beef from the United States. I am concerned that Japan's requirements for the resumption of U.S. beef imports are not necessarily based on science, and thus might not conform with Japan's obligations under the World Trade Organization. I encourage you to emphasize to Japanese officials that Japan's policies regarding U.S. beef must be science-based.
The United States continues to take extensive measures to ensure the safety of beef both for the domestic and export markets, and Japan's consumers would benefit from the resumption of trade of this safe product. Likewise, cattle producers in all 50 states, including Iowa, would benefit from renewed exports to Japan.
I appreciate your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley
Chairman