Agriculture Secretary Richard Lyng applauded the sharp...

Agriculture Secretary Richard Lyng applauded the sharp increase in beef sales that are the result of the U.S.-Japan beef agreement calling for Japan to phase out its import quotas. Under the agreement signed last July 5, Japan will phase out its beef import quotas over a three-year period but will be allowed to charge high tariffs for the following three years. Beef exports to Japan for August, the first full month of trade under the agreement, totaled 15,136 metric tons, a 76% increase in volume, Lyng said.