Hello from Tokyo, Japan. KFB Board Member Keith Miller

July 19, 2007

I am here with the United States Meat Export Federation (USMEF) doing a trade promotion. This has been a very impressive week for American agriculture. All week long we have been promoting world exports for our farmers and producers. We have been meeting with Government officials, Japan traders, and industry people about American Red meat exports. We have been working with Government officials letting them know that we are producing a safe product that the Japan consumer wants.

We also have been working with the traders of Japan to help them understand that we value their business and want to work with them to provide a good product for their consumer. We have been in grocery stores promoting beef and pork, in supermarkets doing promotions, and providing a show and appreciation event for our friends and traders of USMEF. Our work here continues, but our staff of USMEF are well respected here and are working overtime to make sure that our products are getting into this market.  We had more than 650 traders from the Japan market with us.

Most producers are unaware what their check-off dollars are doing to promote their products. If you would have been with me this week you could have seen what exports are doing for our bottom line.

See photos page 1                       See photos page 2