Canadian Producers Welcome U.S. Border Reopening
CANADA - After more than four years of restricted trade following a mad-cow disease scare and an estimated loss of more than $1.7 billion, Canadian producers are looking forward to Monday's reopening of the U.S. border to older live Canadian cattle and their meat products.
19 November 2007
1 minute read
Historically before May of '03 when it closed, we would be selling 10 to 15 per cent of the bulls out of that sale to the U.S. every year.
Helge By, of By Livestock
The move comes after the U.S. Department of Agriculture ruled that the risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canadian cattle is "negligible."
"The border opening is going to be tremendous for all purebred breeders and all breeds because the U.S. has been a fairly substantial marketplace for us," said Helge By, of By Livestock, who co-manages the Regina Bull Sale.
"Historically before May of '03 when it closed, we would be selling 10 to 15 per cent of the bulls out of that sale to the U.S. every year. Of course, we've lost that market until now."
The border slammed shut when BSE was first found in an Alberta cow in May 2003, costing Canadian producers about $426 million a year.
Canadian cows under 30 months of age, deemed to be at less risk for BSE, have been allowed into the United States since July 2005. But older Canadian cattle and beef cuts from those animals had remained barred.
Source: The Canadian Press
