United States | USDA Harmonizes Cattle Trade With Canada | APHIS announced to...

United States

USDA Harmonizes Cattle Trade With Canada

APHIS announced today (Sept. 14) that it will allow imports from countries recognized as presenting minimal risk of introducing BSE into the United States. At this time, Canada is the only minimal-risk country recognized by the United States.

This move is a step to normalize trade relations for the United States with northern and southern neighboring countries.

“This is an integral part of our efforts to promote fair trade practices, consistent with international guidelines,” said Cindy Smith, APHIS administrator. “We will continue to encourage other countries to also align their trade requirements with these science-based international standards.”

Age-verified, live cattle and other bovines, such as bison, for any use including breeding born on or after March 1, 1999, the effective enforcement date of Canada’s feed ban, can be imported into the United States. Blood and blood products in addition to casings and part of the small intestines are also allowed under this rule, which is effective Nov. 19.

This ruling is expected to have negligible impact on the domestic herd since the number of age-verified cattle in Canada is approximately 25 percent of its culled herd. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency determines whether exported cattle meet the age requirement and each animal must be identified by a brand or tattoo identifying it is from Canada.

For more information, see the USDA release.

United States

USDA Harmonizes Cattle Trade With Canada

APHIS announced today (Sept. 14) that it will allow imports from countries recognized as presenting minimal risk of introducing BSE into the United States. At this time, Canada is the only minimal-risk country recognized by the United States.

This move is a step to normalize trade relations for the United States with northern and southern neighboring countries.

“This is an integral part of our efforts to promote fair trade practices, consistent with international guidelines,” said Cindy Smith, APHIS administrator. “We will continue to encourage other countries to also align their trade requirements with these science-based international standards.”

Age-verified, live cattle and other bovines, such as bison, for any use including breeding born on or after March 1, 1999, the effective enforcement date of Canada’s feed ban, can be imported into the United States. Blood and blood products in addition to casings and part of the small intestines are also allowed under this rule, which is effective Nov. 19.

This ruling is expected to have negligible impact on the domestic herd since the number of age-verified cattle in Canada is approximately 25 percent of its culled herd. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency determines whether exported cattle meet the age requirement and each animal must be identified by a brand or tattoo identifying it is from Canada.

For more information, see the USDA release.