Hagel optimistic Japan will soon purchase U.S. beef again. Following a recent meeting with Japan's foreign minister, Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., said Thursday that he is confident that Japan will soon reopen its markets for U.S. beef products. [News Source]

Lawmakers dispute beef packing item. Creekstone Farms is suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to test for mad cow disease in its slaughter cattle bound for foreign markets to help assure Japanese buyers the meat is safe. [News Source]