USDA To Issue Rule on Older Canada Beef Friday
US - The U.S. Agriculture Department will issue a final rule on Friday that would allow imports of older Canadian cattle and meat from them that had been restricted due to concerns of mad cow disease.
14 September 2007
1 minute read
"This rule is in accordance with international standards for countries that present a minimal risk of introducing bovine spongiform encephalopathy," USDA said.
Currently, Canadian ranchers and feeders can send cattle under 30 months of age to the United States for slaughter, and imports of beef from younger cattle are allowed.
USDA unveiled a proposal in January to allow imports of Canadian cattle born on or after March 1, 1999, and meat from older animals.
During a TV interview a month ago, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said the regulation would undergo a final round of scrutiny before taking effect, but declined to suggest how long that would take.
USDA first halted work on a proposal in July 2006 that would have allowed for imports of cattle over 30 months of age after a 50-month old dairy cow in Alberta was found with the fatal disease. The animal was born five years after Canada's 1997 ban on using cattle parts in cattle feed.
On May 22, the World Organization for Animal Health gave Canada and the United States a "controlled risk" status for mad cow disease. Johanns has said repeatedly the ranking is proof U.S. beef of any age is safe to eat and trading partners, such as Japan and South Korea, should open their markets.
Source: Reuters
