Japanese-U.S. beef ban

Nearly everyone is aware of the "mad cow" outbreak in Europe during the 1980s. Yet, there was no panic when a single cow (from Canada) was found in the United States in December. Nor was there need for any.

Both consumer awareness of the problem and consumer confidence in the beef industry are at high levels. The industry has learned the mistakes made in Britain, where the problem originated, and has a "multi-fire wall" system in place to detect problems.

Still, other nations such as Japan block U.S. beef and liberal politicians in the United States attempt to heap on regulations that would do little to protect consumers but would increase the cost of beef.

The Japanese ban costs the meat industry $1.2 billion a year. ...

Nothing is risk-free, but U.S. food is safe. Americans like beef. Each year, Americans consume 67 pounds of beef each, on average. Florida, with a $330 million cattle industry, has a direct stake in the issues of food safety and fair trade.

The sooner the trade issue is resolved, the better. -- The Florida Times Union, Jacksonville, Florida