Letter to Vice President Dick Cheney

April 6, 2004

The Honorable Dick Cheney
Vice President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. Vice President:

We request your assistance in resolving the remaining issues that prevent a resumption of beef exports to Japan. We believe the United States has taken the necessary steps to reestablish trade in beef and beef products. In an effort to resume trade to one of our most important markets, we ask that you address these concerns during your upcoming meetings in Japan.

The mitigating measures in place to prevent the spread of BSE in the United States are science based and in harmony with international animal health standards. Continued delay of beef trade with the United States suggests that Japan prefers subjective solutions to animal health and food safety issues over sound science and risk assessment. Without these exports, our beef market is losing one of its greatest opportunities for growth and job creation.

During your upcoming meetings, we ask that you impress upon the urgency of this matter and the consequences of further unscientific delay in the resumption of trade.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and we look forward to continuing to work with the Administration on this very important issue.

Sincerely,

Senators Craig, Crapo, Miller, Hagel, Burns, Nelson, Bond and McConnell