AMTA predicts cattle shipping backlogs

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CALGARY, Alta. — The Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) is predicting there will be cattle shipping backlogs when the U.S. border re-opens to Canadian cattle in March.

AMTA executive director, Kim Royal, says about half of the province’s livestock haulers have switched jobs or left the province since the U.S. border was closed to Canadian cattle in May, 2003.

He warns it could take up to a year before the infrastructure is back in place to move Canadian cattle into the U.S. at pre-BSE levels. Royal points out many livestock hauling companies sold trucks and trailers during the cattle ban. He also suggests many livestock transport companies may be reluctant to buy new equipment until they’ve determined the border will remain open.

Prior to the U.S. ban, about $1.8 million in cattle were shipped south of the border.

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