Minister Pleased U.S. Border Opening to Beef

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Minister Pleased U.S. Border Opening to Beef

The expected reopening of the U.S. border to Canadian live animals, beef and ruminant products is great news for the Nova Scotia agriculture industry, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Chris d'Entremont said today, Dec. 30.

A recently completed review of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) by the United States Office of the Management and Budget represents major progress towards normalizing agricultural trade between Canada and the United States.

"The livestock industry has faced tremendous hardship since the United States restricted Canadian beef imports after the detection of BSE in one animal in May 2003," said the minister. "There is still a lot of work to do, but this news is a great boost to an industry that has experienced a lot of hurt here in Nova Scotia and across the country."

The final ruling by the Office of Management and Budget is expected to be published Jan. 4 and to take effect March 7. The ruling will provide access to the U.S. for a range of live animals and beef and ruminant products.

When complete, it will allow the importation into the U.S. of live Canadian cattle under 30 months for immediate slaughter or for feeding, provided the cattle are slaughtered before reaching the age of 30 months. The ruling will also allow the importation of meat from animals older than 30 months and removes segregation requirements at Canadian slaughter facilities.

"This is a step in a long recovery process but it is a huge step and one we have worked towards for the last year and a half," said Mr. d'Entremont.