U.S. Border Reopens To Canadian Cattle

After more than four years of restricted trade, the U.S. border has reopened to older live Canadian cattle and beef products from those animals, in accordance with the final rule published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) aimed at further restoring normal trade in cattle and meat products between the nations.

The rule, which was published in September and goes into effect today, will allow the importation of:

• live cattle and other bovines for any use born on or after March 1, 1999;
• all beef and beef products;
• blood and blood products derived from bovines, collected under certain conditions; and,
• casings and part of the small intestine derived from bovines.

“This restoration of cattle and beef trade with Canada, one of our largest trading partners, is great news for U.S. beef producers, processors, packers and consumers. Just as we continue to encourage our trading partners to abide by OIE rules to accept beef imports from the U.S., it is important to treat our trading partners in the same,” said AMI President and CEO J. Patrick Boyle. “This rule is based on the careful and thoughtful review of the science,” he said.

For a full copy of the USDA notice, click here:
http://www.meatami.com/storylinks/2007/USDAonfullCanadatrade.pdf