WASHINGTON, S.D. (WNAX) – U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue announced last Friday that the United States and Japan agreed on new terms and conditions that give U.S. beef full access to the Japanese market. South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director Jodie Anderson says cattle producers are excited about regaining that market which was shut off in 2003 because of BSE and then partially reopened in 2005.

The Department of Agriculture estimates that this expanded access could increase U.S. beef and product exports to Japan by up to $200 million annually. Anderson says that will provide a great economic boost to the U.S. beef industry.

She says they are pleased that Japan has already begun consultations with the United States to revise its import requirements in order to align with the BSE guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health.

Perdue met recently with Japanese government officials at the G-20 Ag Ministerial meeting and affirmed the importance of science based trade rules.