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From: TSS ()
TRANSCRIPT OF NEWS CONFERENCE WITH AGRICULTURE SECRETARY MIKE JOHANNS AND JAPANESE MAFF TOSHIKATSU MATSUOKA Release No. 0007.07 Release No. 0007.07 We talked about two things at our meeting today. The first was the WTO negotiations. And I thought we had an excellent discussion. We compared where each country was at and talked in depth about issues like sensitive products, special products, tariffs, domestic support. I think we touched upon all of the key issues in the ag negotiations of the WTO Round. So we had an excellent discussion there. The second area that we touched upon -- and this will be absolutely no surprise to anybody in the room -- is beef. I indicated our desire to continue to work with Japan and find a way to open their market to additional beef from the United States. I expressed what I had said publicly, and that is that our expectation for ourself, the United States, is that we will work with our trading partners in compliance with international standards. And that is our expectation for all of our trading partners, not just Japan. So we had that discussion and we exchanged comments on that, and then we came on in here. So with that, what I would like to do is invite the Minister to offer some thoughts following translation, and then we'll take a few questions. So please feel free to translate. [translation into Japanese ensues] JAPANESE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES TOSHIKATSU MATSUOKA: (translated from Japanese) Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to report to you the outcome of the meeting that I have had just now with Secretary Johanns. As Secretary Johanns has also pointed out at the outset, we were able to have an extremely meaningful and substantive discussion for our two countries, particularly for Japan. The United States is the most important partner, bar none, in political, economic, diplomatic, and cultural affairs. And we were able to confirm with each other that we will further even this bilateral relationship. And as Secretary Johanns has also indicated, in terms of WTO we have agreed that our two countries should proceed based on close cooperation between us for the sake of success of the WTO negotiations. And we were also able to share mutual recognition with regard to the products of interest for Japan and the United States. And we were able to have a frank exchange of views with regard to domestic support, improvement of market access, number of sensitive parts, and tariff capping, among others. And we were able to deepen mutual understanding with regard to each other's position. And therefore, based on such an understanding we have agreed that we should further accelerate and strengthen our bilateral consultations. And Department of Agriculture is the most knowledgeable agency with regard to the U.S. agriculture; and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries is the most knowledgeable ministry with regard to Japanese agriculture. And we agree that it will be highly meaningful for our two organizations to proceed with mutual discussions. And the beef issue -- I'm sure that you are quite aware of this issue, but Secretary Johanns came up with a strong request that we should proceed to a new stage with the ending of the verification period, and he has strongly requested Japan to respond to this. And I have listened very attentively to such intentions of the United States, and as far as the Japanese side is concerned we are still in the middle of the verification period. And our two countries must conduct a second audit, confirm its results, and make the results public, for the verification period to be completed. And therefore, at the current stage it is most important that we respect the existing trade protocol to make sure that it takes deep root so that we are able to obtain the understanding of the Japanese people. And therefore I responded to Secretary Johanns that we are not able to immediately begin consultations at this stage. SEC. JOHANNS: I'm only going to take a couple of questions. I apologize for that. We'll start now. REPORTER: With regard to American beef, we're approaching the end of the initial six-month period. Can you share with us what kind of dialog would you like to see after the six-month period, and when would you like to (unclear) beyond this point? SEC. JOHANNS: Your observation is correct. We are not complete with the six-month period quite yet, although that will wrap up near the end of this month. Our goal is to continue consultation to a broader opening of the market to U.S. beef. Our attitude has always been to try to figure out ways to work with our trading partners, and we will undertake to do that. But just to summarize, my goal is what it has always been, and that's to normalize beef trade based upon international standards. We're going to do that for ourself, and that's our expectation for all of our trading partners. [translation into Japanese ensues] MINISTER MATSUOKA: (translated from Japanese) Well, as I have indicated earlier, I have listened carefully and became very aware of the views and the points which have been made by Secretary Johanns of the United States. However, we are currently still in the middle of the verification period, and therefore at this stage we must expect the existing trade protocol to ensure it takes deep root because this concerns food safety which is indeed the most fundamental question for the Japanese people. So what is most important now is to obtain the understanding and assurance of the Japanese consumers, and therefore at this point in time I am not able to say anything about that. SEC. JOHANNS: Last question, Bill. REPORTER: Happy New Year, Mister Secretary. SEC. JOHANNS: Thank you. Same to you. REPORTER: Mister Minister, a question for the Japanese Agriculture Minister. Just so I can understand correctly, in 2004 Japan and the U.S. agreed that six months after trade resumed under a restricted way, which it has, after six months you'd begin talking again about expanding that, lifting the restrictions of the 'under 21 months of age.' It sounds to me as if that is no longer the plan, and if not six months, then how long will it take? And what is verification? [translation into Japanese ensues] MINISTER MATSUOKA: (translated from Japanese) I'd like to respond to the point which was just raised in the latest question. In the Japan/U.S. joint press statement of October of 2004, as is being raised in the latest question, it is stated that after the six-month verification period is completed, review will be conducted towards the next stage. On the other hand, it is also stated that we need to conduct deliberations at the Food Safety Commission of Japan. And therefore it is based on the understanding of what is in that press statement that I made the previous statement that we have not yet completed the six-month period, and once the six-month period is over we need to first conduct an audit on the establishments in the United States. And we must first to confirm the result of this audit and make this public. And this procedure is yet to be addressed. And therefore, I would like to refrain from saying anything that is specific with regard to what will be done immediately after the six months and towards the next stage. SEC. JOHANNS: Okay, thank you everybody. http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2007/01/0007.xml http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/Comments/03-025IFA/03-025IFA-2.pdf THE SEVEN SCIENTIST REPORT *** http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/02n0273/02n-0273-c000490-vol40.pdf SEROLOGICALS CORPORATION http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/02n0273/02n-0273-c000383-01-vol35.pdf Embassy of Japan Dockets Entered on December 22, 2005 03-025IFA 03-025IFA-6 Jason Frost [PDF] http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/Comments/03-025IF/03-025IF-589.pdf Terry S. Singeltary SR.
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