Cattle Exports to Resume Soon

Avatar photo

CALGARY, Alta. – The U.S. has published a proposal that would allow Canadian cattle to once again cross the border by early 2004.

The proposal was issued recently by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is subject to a 60-day review period.

It would apply to cattle under the age of 30 months and would see Canada once again deemed a country of minimal risk for mad cow disease.

“The United States has a long history of having safeguards in place to prevent the introduction of BSE,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman said in a news release.

“The continued protection of the U.S. food supply is our top priority. This proposal reflects a thorough review of the scientific evidence, which shows the risk to public health to be extremely low.”

It’s estimated Canadian beef producers have lost more than $1 billion during the beef ban that came into effect May 20 after a single Canadian cow was discovered to have mad cow disease.

Initially, all beef products were also banned from entering the U.S., however, that ban was lifted on certain cuts of meat once Canada had taken safeguards to ensure its meat supply was safe. Livestock haulers, however, have seen up to 100 per cent of their business dissolve.

Avatar photo

Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*