** FILE ** U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns tours a beef processing plant Tuesday, May 17, 2005, in Hyrum, Utah. On Dec. 8, 2005 Japan's Food Safety Commission declared beef from young American cattle safe, paving the way for the government to open the market to meat from cows younger than 21 months. Japanese media said the Cabinet could decide to ease the ban as early as Monday, Dec. 12. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac, File)