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Apr 23, 2007   |  Senator Jon Tester

Baucus, Tester: Montana Beef, It Should Be What's For Dinner

Senators Urge White House To Serve Montana Steaks To Japanese Official

(Washington D.C.) Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester still have a beef with Japan, because of an unfair beef ban, but they are hoping a "taste test" by the Japanese Prime Minister this week will help change that.

In a letter to the White House Chef Cristeta Comerford, the senators urged that Montana steaks be served when Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has an official dinner with President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. The senators say that serving Montana beef could help end Japan's ban.

"We could give the Japanese thousands of scientific tests showing that Montana has the safest, highest quality beef in the world," Baucus said. "But sometimes there's no substitute for a good old fashioned taste test."

"There are lots of dinner choices in Washington, but nothing beats a big, red, juicy steak from back home," Tester said. "Prime Minister Abe is in for a real treat. So are millions of Japanese, as soon as this ban is lifted."

Japan banned U.S. beef in 2003, after a cow in Washington state tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE. Japan resumed shipments of U.S. beef from cattle 20 months of age or younger in July 2006, but international health standards certify the safety of all U.S. beef, bone-in and boneless, regardless of age.

In addition to fighting Japan's beef ban, Baucus and Tester have also lead the fight to open other foreign markets for Montana beef including South Korea and China.

Office Contact Information

Senator Tester's Montana staff serves the state from offices in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. Please bring your concerns with federal agencies, academy nominations, and other situations to one of these Montana offices.

Billings

Judge Jameson Federal Building
2900 4th Ave N, Suite 201
Billings, MT 59101
Phone: (406) 252-0550
Fax: (406) 252-7768

Bozeman

Avant Courier Building
1 E Main Street, Suite 202
Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 586-4450
Fax: (406) 586-7647

Butte

Silver Bow Center
125 W Granite, Suite 200
Butte, MT 59701
Phone: (406) 723-3277
Fax: (406) 782-4717

Great Falls

119 1st Avenue N, Suite 102
Great Falls, MT 59401
Phone: (406) 452-9585
Fax: (406) 452-9586

Helena

Capital One Center
208 N Montana Avenue, Suite 202
Helena, MT 59601
Phone: (406) 449-5401
Fax: (406) 449-5462

Kalispell

8 Third Street E
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 257-3360
Fax: (406) 257-3974

Missoula

130 W Front St.
Missoula, MT 59802
Phone: (406) 728-3003
Fax: (406) 728-2193

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