TOKYO, April 18 (UPI) -- New U.S. Ambassador to Japan J. Thomas Schieffer sought to allay fears over the safety of U.S. beef exports at his first press conference in Tokyo Monday.
Schieffer said Japanese fears that U.S. beef may carry mad cow disease should be resolved "on a scientific basis," without endangering the health of anyone.
He also announced that a delegation of U.S. government officials and academic experts would visit Japan from April 25-27 to explain the safety and quality of U.S. beef.
The delegation, headed by Dr. Chuck Lambert of the Department of Agriculture, will participate in a number of outreach events to provide a better understanding of the strengths of the U.S. beef production system.
Japanese imports of U.S. beef were halted in December 2003 after a single case of mad cow disease was discovered in the United States. Prior to the ban, Japan had purchased $1.7 billion in U.S. beef and beef products in 2003.
The ambassador stressed that the stalled beef trade has become a real issue in affected regions of the United States. He said he hoped the matter could be resolved "sooner rather than later."
