Canada | Change In BSE Strategy North Of The Border? | Canadian media reporte...

Canada

 

Change In BSE Strategy North Of The Border?

 

Canadian media reported over the weekend that Canada's lone BSE case might have been "born in the USA" an assertion based on text within the complicated BSE investigation report released on July 2 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), available at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/disemala/bseesb/evale.shtml. The report states: “Canada cannot, to date, exclude the possibility that the index case itself derived through this huge, unique importation [from the U.S.]."

 

This alleged possibility may reflect a change in negotiating strategy by Canadians anxious to reopen the U.S. border. The Edmonton Journal quoted Tom Haney, Canada Beef Export Federation president on Thursday, as saying: "We are in the same boat as the United States. Any further discussion south of the border, or anywhere else, about Canada representing a higher risk really becomes questionable."

 

In addition, the Canadian Press news service reported Finance Minister John Manley sent a stern message over the weekend, warning that Canada might block imports of American cattle unless the United States swiftly removes its ban on Canadian beef. The Liberal leadership hopeful reportedly said Canada wants to get the United States “working cooperatively” to lift the ban, imposed after a case of mad cow disease was discovered in Alberta seven weeks ago. But if diplomatic efforts are unsuccessful, Manley warned that Canada might raise regulatory standards for imports of beef and cattle, effectively blocking U.S. beef from entering Canada. “If we can't (open the border) then we will have to go unilaterally and set standards that are different from the U.S.,” said Manley.

 

Media in Japan also reported the story; some included USDA's statement that “there is no basis” for the claim but also listed CFIA's reasons for making it.

   

Canada

 

Change In BSE Strategy North Of The Border?

 

Canadian media reported over the weekend that Canada's lone BSE case might have been "born in the USA" an assertion based on text within the complicated BSE investigation report released on July 2 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), available at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/disemala/bseesb/evale.shtml. The report states: “Canada cannot, to date, exclude the possibility that the index case itself derived through this huge, unique importation [from the U.S.]."

 

This alleged possibility may reflect a change in negotiating strategy by Canadians anxious to reopen the U.S. border. The Edmonton Journal quoted Tom Haney, Canada Beef Export Federation president on Thursday, as saying: "We are in the same boat as the United States. Any further discussion south of the border, or anywhere else, about Canada representing a higher risk really becomes questionable."

 

In addition, the Canadian Press news service reported Finance Minister John Manley sent a stern message over the weekend, warning that Canada might block imports of American cattle unless the United States swiftly removes its ban on Canadian beef. The Liberal leadership hopeful reportedly said Canada wants to get the United States “working cooperatively” to lift the ban, imposed after a case of mad cow disease was discovered in Alberta seven weeks ago. But if diplomatic efforts are unsuccessful, Manley warned that Canada might raise regulatory standards for imports of beef and cattle, effectively blocking U.S. beef from entering Canada. “If we can't (open the border) then we will have to go unilaterally and set standards that are different from the U.S.,” said Manley.

 

Media in Japan also reported the story; some included USDA's statement that “there is no basis” for the claim but also listed CFIA's reasons for making it.