Boycott J A Pan & Company cars, TV, computers etc.

[cakadu]

Is it too bold to point out that the Japanese wanted to do the very same thing when Canada had it's first case and some government staffer told them "no".

IF you can get the Japanese as a customer, that is a good thing, but they are very strong negotiators.

[boone]

cakadu: they also told the young people the war in Iraq wouldn't take long and they would be home for Christmas.

[rusty1]

If JaPan and Company didn't get most of their raw amterial from of shore they would't be able to ship us anything back. That don't seem to be too complicated to me.

[cowman]

Japan is the "cadillac" market if you will. They pay top dollar. Yes, they take our raw products and sell us back manufactured goods. Quality manufactured goods? Lets face it they make good stuff!
Could we afford to get into a trade war with Japan? Do you want to tell all the timothy hay producers they can't sell there anymore? Or the canola/wheat boys? Or the coal interests, Or iron ore? Or hogs?
For what? How much beef did we sell to them? Enough to ruin these other industries?

[boone]

Cowman, rusty1, not only is Japan the Cadillac but their standards are perceived higher than a Caddy, Lexus,Acura,etc are seen by the american people as a cut above their own products. By testing everything first ahead of the states even with a difficult uneasy time with their beef politicians, over time you should come across as the pristine provider and furthermore U.S. is our real market. It won't be if the consumer down there doesn't demand our beef.

[jensend]

say what you want rusty1; at least the japanese said how we could get access to their market. there was no 60 day comment period for the rules either. the americans dont want to tell us whats required and thats a lot tougher to deal with.

[cowman]

Japan has never been the real problem. The real problem has always been our own cattle organizations and government. Their continued reluctance to ensure a safe product. The "science" is a joke, obviously. The Europeans don't buy it, the Japanese don't buy it(and soon the Canadian consumer won't buy it). That is why they test, and that is why it is business as usual over there.
We'll get there, it will just take more time. Unfortunately a lot of us will be broke by then, while the meat monopoly makes billions.
Support Japan, buy a Toyota!

[rusty1]

The last line of the first post says it all.
"Japan has told U.S. officials that it is still too early to begin discussions on easing the import suspension."

All I'm saying is I'm dam tired of all the retoric. And I firmly believe the only way to get serious about negoiating is to DO something.
Business often says that indiscission is worse than a bad decission. I asure you that if we did something drastic, people would sit right up to the table and start making some decisions OBJECTIVELY.

[cowman]

Well rusty, would testing every animal be drastic? Would it get America onside? How about an agressive PR campaign in the US at the same time?
How about full page ads in the American papers telling them why Canada has gone to universal testing? Quote the Alzheimer studies about CJD? Tell the American consumer the facts.
Trying to force Japan to lower their standards might work. But think of the bad press? I doubt all the media will get on board do you? Probably some wouldn't follow the government line? I mean we do have freedom of the press? Or they might question the "science"? Bad press = poor beef consumption.
Not buying a Sony isn't going to really influence Japan. We are such a piddling market they really couldn't care less. Now America is a different story and the Japanese might have to stand up and take notice! America can probably buffalo the Japanese but I don't think the Americans have any intentions of taking us along for the ride!