U.S. implementing updated cattle trade plan with Canada

Washington - 9/17/07 - Cattle trade with Canada will be expanded by the end of the year, announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Under a rule slated for implementation on Nov. 19, the United States will accept imports of older cattle and their meat from Canada. The regulation reinforces the international consensus reached on safeguarding against mad cow. About 75,000 head of older cattle are expected to be imported in the first year, according to USDA..

"We expect our trading partners to follow the same science as we do on this," says John Clifford, USDA chief veterinarian.

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. The new rule will allow bison and cattle born on or before March 1, 1999, and meat and meat products from animals 30 months of age and older to all be sent to U.S. buyers.

"It's safe to come in. The risk is extremely low," says Clifford. The World Health Organization for Animal Health gave the United States and Canada a "controlled risk" status on May 22 for mad cow disease. U.S. officials say the ranking shows the safety of U.S. beef and that trading partners, like Japan and South Korea, should open their markets.

Canada has reported 10 cases of the fatal, brain-wasting disease since May 2003, while the United States has found three cases since December 2003.