|
(Tokyo) A high-level Nebraska delegation
cleared Japanese customs at approximately 3:45 a.m. CT today with
what Japanese officials described as the first U.S. beef to successfully
enter the Japanese market since the partial resumption of U.S.-Japanese
beef trade.
"I received a call this morning from our Director of Agriculture with good news
for the cattlemen and women of Nebraska," Gov. Dave Heineman said. "Because the
private sector and the State of Nebraska worked hard, high-quality Nebraska beef
is back in Japan."
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the Nebraska Department
of Economic Development are working with beef industry representatives
to host a reception on Monday in downtown Tokyo for Japanese government
officials, Japanese businesspeople with interest in or ties to
Nebraska and the former customers of Nebraska beef.
The Nebraska delegation will serve beef that cleared customs
during the reception. The remainder of the first shipment will
be used to help bolster consumer confidence and demand, as well
as to promote Nebraska as a high-quality, reliable supplier of
beef.
Greg Ibach, the Nebraska Director of Agriculture who escorted
the beef through customs, said, "I am so pleased for our state that we have been able
to carry out the Governor's marching orders. Nebraska has successfully re-entered
the Japanese market."
On Wednesday, Gov. Heineman and Greater Omaha Packing Company
President and CEO Henry Davis loaded beef from a North Platte feedlot
onto a shipping crate and sent it to Eppley Airfield. Greater Omaha
Packing Co. was one of several companies certified this week to
fill orders under the new trade regulations with Japan.
|
