050519 Idaho Governor Optimistic Japan Will Lift Beef Ban

Boise, ID - The delegation's arrival in Taipei coincided with the debut of aged American beef at one of the city's most popular restaurants, Lawry's Steakhouse.

Manager Tony Tsai watched over a full house that evening.

"Everyone's asking about the U.S. beef, asking about reservations and whether they're available. Unfortunately after 4pm, we're full for the next three days," Tsai said.

Outside the restaurant and in grocery stores all over town, advertisements and signs were posted prominently for passersby to see: American beef is back and available for purchase.

While meeting with President Chen Shui-bian, Gov. Dirk Kempthorne thanked Taiwan for being the first Asian government to lift the ban on U.S beef.

Through an interpreter, the president responded by saying, "I think the government should do the right thing and should not bow into political pressure because according to scientific finding, and according to the opinion from our experts, (U.S. beef) is okay."

So once again, Taiwanese meat importers are buying Kobe beef from Idaho's Snake River Farms. During a tour of the local Costco, the governor asked the president of Costco in Taiwan to do the same.

Throughout the rest of Asia, Australian beef is king these days, and that means Idaho agriculture has taken a pounding.

The Dept. of Agriculture reports Japan has dropped from being Idaho's number one agricultural trading partner, to number two.

The department estimates that before the ban was imposed in December 2003, Idaho exported between $15 and $20 million worth of beef to Japan alone.

Many say that if Japan will open its borders to U.S. beef, others countries may likely follow.

"I really believe that (Japan will open its market) in the very near future. It's a political decision that will be made, and we have asked them to send their beef purchasers to come to Idaho," Kempthorne said during a post-trade mission press conference.

American officials in Tokyo say the Japanese government may waive testing on mad cow disease for cattle aged 21 months or younger, and estimate Japan may lift its ban as soon as this summer.

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