U.S. Beef Gains Full Access to Japan
(Washington, D.C., May 17, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that the United States and Japan have agreed on new terms and conditions that eliminate Japan’s longstanding restrictions on U.S. beef exports, paving the way for expanded sales to the United States’ top global beef market. Last week, on the margins of the G-20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting in Niigata, Japan, Secretary Perdue met with Japanese government officials and affirmed the importance of science-based trade rules. The new terms, which take effect immediately, allow U.S. products from all cattle, regardless of age, to enter Japan for the first time since 2003.
“This is great news for American ranchers and exporters who now have full access to the Japanese market for their high-quality, safe, wholesome, and delicious U.S. beef,” Secretary Perdue said. “We are hopeful that Japan’s decision will help lead other markets around the world toward science-based policies.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that this expanded access could increase U.S. beef and beef product exports to Japan by up to $200 million annually. The agreement is also an important step in normalizing trade with Japan, as Japan further aligns its import requirements with international standards for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).
Background:
In December 2003, Japan banned U.S. beef and beef products following the detection of a BSE-positive animal in the United States. In December 2005, Japan restored partial access for U.S. beef muscle cuts and offal items from cattle 20 months of age and younger. In February 2013, Japan extended access to include beef and beef products from cattle less than 30 months of age.
In April 2017, Japan eliminated its age-based BSE testing on domestic Japanese cattle, paving the way for similar age-based restrictions to be lifted on negligible BSE-risk trading partners, including the United States. On January 15, 2019, Japan’s Food Safety Commission (FSC) concluded eliminating the age restriction for beef from the United States, Canada and Ireland posed a negligible risk to human health. Based on the FSC risk assessment, Japan began consultations with the United States to revise its import requirements in order to align with the BSE guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
The new terms and conditions will be posted May 20 to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Export Library and the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Export Verification Program web page.
Learn more about the fight to unlock lifelong opportunity and success for every child at ExcelinEd.org.
In Alabama, a pivotal state in the civil rights movement, there are still areas where the school system is very much separate—and yes, unequal. But as ExcelinEd's Nathan Hoffman shared recently, one public charter school is seeking to change that reality.
Today, Governor Jeb Bush, founder and chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd), released the following statement on the 65-year anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education.
“Sixty-five years is more than enough time for our nation to close the doors on schoolroom inequity and deliver a high-quality education to each and every child. But in far too many communities, that goal remains elusive. Today’s remembrance of the landmark Brown v. Board decision must be more than a reflective footnote in education history. It must be an unrelenting call to make good on its promise and make ourselves accountable to its powerful vision of opportunity for all students.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Jim Bennett
801-971-5457
jim@unitedutah.org
UNITED UTAH PARTY URGES CONGRESS TO SEEK COMMON GROUND ON EQUALITY ACT
Legislation should protect both LGBTQ rights and religious freedom
The United Utah Party is calling on Congress to address the concerns of opponents to the Equality Act to pass legislation that protects both LGBTQ rights and religious freedom.
"We favor anti-discrimination legislation that protects the rights of LGBTQ citizens," said Richard Davis, United Utah Party chair. "However, we believe that the best approach to pass a bill through both the House and the Senate that will effect lasting policy change is to work with a diverse array of groups, including religious organizations with serious concerns about this legislation. That is preferable to pushing legislation that has no chance of passage in the Senate."
According to its platform, the United Utah Party supports civil rights for all citizens. It also advocates religious freedom. It does not believe those two objectives are incompatible.
Davis explained that the United Utah Party fears that, unless there is a compromise, the partisan division on this issue - a Democratic-dominated House and a Senate Republican majority - will doom any legislation since neither party will work towards an agreement.
"Finding the balance between those two - assuring that rights are not denied and religious beliefs and practices are respected - is why we elect representatives to Congress," Davis said. "We believe they can craft a broad-based solution rather than a narrow partisan one, and we urge them to do so.”
For more information, visit unitedutah.org.
John Van Deusen
Announces New Album
(I Am) Origami Pt. 3 - A Catacomb Hymn
Out July 19th, 2019
Pre-Order & Stream New Single "Whatever Makes You Mine":
Anacortes, WA - May 17, 2019 - John Van Deusen is thrilled to announce his brand new record, (I Am) Origami Pt 3. - A Catacomb Hymn, out July 19th via Tooth & Nail Records. Van Deusen has also shared the first single, "Whatever Makes You Mine." Fans can stream it now and pre-order the new album at https://jvd.lnk.to/mine.
"I was staying alone at a lodge in the Cascade Mountains when I wrote this song. I booked the trip to write and record some new music and the previous week I had been obsessed with Sasquatch legends; some of which are fairly dark and scary," recalls Van Deusen. "Needless to say I found myself kind of frightened at night because the lodge was in the heart of "Bigfoot" territory. The lodge made lots of eerie noises and I kept imagining some big hairy creature watching me sleep."
He continues: "I found myself writing 'Whatever Makes You Mine' in the dead of night in response to my loneliness and fear; my desire to be with someone, anyone was overwhelming."
John Van Deusen creates aggressively honest, thematically rich power pop. His style is built on a strange foundation of influences, resulting in an indie rock sound that feels both familiar and curious. From his early career in The Lonely Forest (Trans/Atlantic Records) to his recent outings as a solo recording artist, intimacy and vulnerability have been hallmarks of his songwriting. Consider his work as a little note that says, "It's okay to not be okay."
Van Deusen currently lives in Anacortes, Washington, with his wife and cat, and helps run a board game store. He also yells and plays bass in the hardcore punk band BUFFET.
(I Am) Origami Pt. 3 - A Catacomb Hymn will be released on July 19th through Tooth & Nail Records. For this album and its forthcoming sequel, Van Deusen teamed with producer and friend Andy D. Park (Pedro the Lion, Deep Sea Diver). Fans can pre-order it now at https://jvd.lnk.to/mine.
For More Information, please visit:
Website: www.johnvandeusen.com
Bandcamp: www.iamjohnvandeusen.bandcamp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/iamjohnvandeusen
Twitter: www.twitter.com/johnvdmusic
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jvdmusic
(I Am) Origami Pt. 3 - A Catacomb Hymn Tracklisting:
1. Whatever Makes You Mine
2. Let Me Let You Use My Power
3. Universal Will to Become
4. Social Sucker
5. Steal from Myself (It's All About Me!)
6. If All is Nothing / Nothing Must End
7. Fly Away To Hell
8. Nothing Ever Comes of It
9. You Don't Know What You're Asking
10. Numb
Upcoming Tour Dates:
6/14 - Cambridge, CAN @ Rhythm and Brews Brewing Company
6/15 - Ottawa, CAN @ Bar Robo
6/16 - Toronto, CAN @ Wenona Craft Beer Lodge
