“Obviously we’re thrilled that the Japanese would recognize not only the quality, but the health safety of American beef.  This being the holiday season, I can’t think of a better Christmas present to Montana farmers and ranchers than the substantial economic opportunity created by this decision.  Christmas is about families; Montana Agriculture families are going to have a little extra under the tree,” Rehberg, a Billings rancher, said. “Now we will begin negotiating for the opportunity of exporting livestock over 20 months. It’s critical that the Japanese allow free and fair access to their consumers who hunger for Montana beef.”

      On October 28, Rehberg and Rep. John Salazar (D-Colorado) introduced the Trade Accountability Act (H.R. 4179), directing the U.S. Treasury Department to impose tariffs on Japanese products in an amount equal to the $2.7 billion annual loss endured by U.S. beef producers from Japan’s U.S. beef embargo, if Japan failed to resume trade by December 15.

      “As the Japanese government now recognizes, we provide the safest and highest quality beef in the world – reason enough to reestablish U.S. beef imports,” Rehberg said.