United States, Canada, Mexico Agree On Protocols For Breeding Cattle Trade

Mexico                                                                                         

United States, Canada, Mexico Agree On Protocols For Breeding Cattle Trade

Effective protocols for the trade of breeding cattle born after Jan. 1, 1999, consistent with World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) standards, will be made by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Mexico's Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación (SAGARPA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) tomorrow (March 28).

Canada, Mexico and the United States “mutually agreed on the importance of normalizing beef and cattle trade in North America consistent with the guidelines established by the World Organization for Animal Health,” said USDA Secretary Ed Schafer in a news release.

The harmonization of the standards in North America reaffirms the U.S. position that cattle can be traded safely when countries follow the OIE standards for effectively managing the risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), and further ensures that trade protocols for Canada, Mexico and the United States are consistent between the countries and with OIE.

In May 2007, the OIE formally classified the United States as a controlled risk country for BSE. This status confirmed that U.S. BSE regulatory controls are effective and that U.S. beef and beef products of all ages can be safely traded.

The new protocols outline conditions for the export of U.S. and Canadian cattle to Mexico. Canadian exporters will need to obtain import permits from APHIS and SAGARPA, as well as a health certificate from CFIA. Shipments will be inspected by U.S. and Mexican officials.

Mexico                                                                                         

United States, Canada, Mexico Agree On Protocols For Breeding Cattle Trade

Effective protocols for the trade of breeding cattle born after Jan. 1, 1999, consistent with World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) standards, will be made by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Mexico's Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación (SAGARPA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) tomorrow (March 28).

Canada, Mexico and the United States “mutually agreed on the importance of normalizing beef and cattle trade in North America consistent with the guidelines established by the World Organization for Animal Health,” said USDA Secretary Ed Schafer in a news release.

The harmonization of the standards in North America reaffirms the U.S. position that cattle can be traded safely when countries follow the OIE standards for effectively managing the risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), and further ensures that trade protocols for Canada, Mexico and the United States are consistent between the countries and with OIE.

In May 2007, the OIE formally classified the United States as a controlled risk country for BSE. This status confirmed that U.S. BSE regulatory controls are effective and that U.S. beef and beef products of all ages can be safely traded.

The new protocols outline conditions for the export of U.S. and Canadian cattle to Mexico. Canadian exporters will need to obtain import permits from APHIS and SAGARPA, as well as a health certificate from CFIA. Shipments will be inspected by U.S. and Mexican officials.