White House clears proposal for older Canada cattle

US - The White House has approved a draft U.S. regulation that would allow imports of older Canadian cattle and beef into the country, now blocked out of concerns over mad cow disease.

5 January 2007

1 minute read

North America

An Agriculture Department spokesman declined on Wednesday to say how soon the regulation would be presented for public comment, one of the final steps before the rule could take effect. The cattle industry expected prompt publication.

With the time needed for USDA to review public comments and suggestions for changes, it could be "sometime in the summer" before U.S. import rules were revised, said an official of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

At present, cattle less than 30 months of age can be shipped for slaughter at U.S. packing plants and Canadian packers can send beef from young cattle to U.S. buyers.

Source: Reuters