CALGARY, Alta. — It’s been a long time since there’s been any reason for optimism among cross-border cattle haulers, but yesterday U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci predicted a quick re-opening of the U.S. border to Canadian cattle.

If George Bush wins the election, that is. And one can hardly blame Canadian cattle carriers if they’re taking his latest comments with a grain of salt.

Cellucci yesterday blamed the Democrats for stalling the re-opening of the U.S. border to live Canadian cattle and he said if Bush wins the impending election the border could be re-opened within months.

“Senator (Tom) Daschle is up for re-election in (South) Dakota, and he is very much opposed to this beef coming in. He and other senators have written to the Department of Agriculture saying, ‘Don’t let the beef in from Canada,'” Cellucci told reporters yesterday.

He then promised there was "light at the end of the tunnel," suggesting the ban could be lifted within months. This despite the fact any such action would require comment and budget review before being approved. However, Cellucci said Bush supports the re-opening of the border which has been closed to Canadian cattle since May, 2003. It’s estimated the border closure has cost the Canadian beef industry more than $2 billion.

When asked if the election could further delay the re-opening of the border, Cellucci said “I would hope not. I would not expect that, but there is some opposition to this in the U.S. I think it’s clear there’s more opposition on the Democratic side than the Republican side.”