Japanese Media Tour U.S. Beef Production Facilities
USMEF education initiative sponsors tour.
Compiled by staff
Published: Sep 29, 2010
A group of Japanese journalists are the latest to receive an extensive inside look at the U.S. beef industry as part of a U.S. Meat Export Federation educational initiative. Susumu Harada, USMEF's Japan senior director for trade projects and technical service, says helping them see the safety practices employed by the U.S. beef industry and the high quality standards is important as we look to expand access for U.S. beef exports to Japan.
The tour group was scheduled to visit Colorado State University's Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center, a beef processing plant, feedlot and cattle ranch, as well as retail and food service establishments. Funding for the visit was provided by the Beef Checkoff program and the USDA Market Access Program.
Mark Gustafson, JBS USA international sales, says there is a long-term benefit.
"There are differences between how the industry operates in the United States and Japan, but our priorities are the same," Gustafson said. "We are both committed to producing safe and wholesome beef. One of the biggest differences is the scale of operations. As an example, one U.S. beef processing plant will process as many cattle as all of Japan."
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