Open At Last! Sort of....

[kato]

Radio says that the border opened to some beef products. Under 30 month olds.

Let's see what happens now.

[db-75]

It's about time we had some good news, at least this is a step in the right direction. I still find it unbelievable that ONLY 1 cow tested postive out of the thousands that were slaughtered, good news but maybe alittle suspicious.

[rsomer]

News story at http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/08/08/us_cow030808

[rsomer]

USDA news letter at: http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2003/08/0281.htm

The U.S. is going to issue permits allowing the importation of Boneless bovine meat from cattle under 30 months of age, Boneless Veal (meat) from calves that were 36 weeks of age or younger at slaughter and Fresh or frozen bovine liver. Meat and cattle that originate in the United States can be processed in Canada and then returned to the United States if certain requirements are met.

[ValueChainFX]

Probably important enough to post the message on here ))))

Industry Update: Changes to US Ban (August 8, 2003)
This afternoon the US announced revisions to their ban on Canadian ruminants and ruminant derived products (http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2003/08/0281.htm). This announcement marks the first instance of a BSE-free country renewing trade with a country that has reported one or more cases of BSE.
The US announcement notes the following points:
Ømeat from hunter harvested animals to gain immediate entry from Canada to the US (wild ruminants intended for personal use and cervid meat);
Øboxed beef from Canada to the US will gain access no later than the end of August, on the basis of a US import permit;
Øan expedited process will be established through the US rule-making process (legislation) to allow for the export of live ruminants direct to slaughter in the US; and
Øthe US is resolved to work with Canada & Mexico to review OIE guidelines, through an international panel of experts, with a focus on how countries respond to other countries reporting a low incidence of BSE.
“The Coalition offers its congratulations to Canadian and US negotiators in industry and government on a job well done!” said Carl Moore, Chairman of the Coalition. “It’s not over, but it’s a tremendous improvement. We hope that in time the needs of those sectors that remain impacted in spite of these changes, can be addressed in as positive a manner -- and further, that on the basis of our experience here we work towards contingency planning throughout the livestock industry, on a continental basis.”
A significant amount of work remains, particularly with respect to the export of live animals to the US, and the export of product or animals to other markets. Other issues to be addressed include: resolution of the compensation program.
The US was complimentary to Canadian livestock, livestock products and inspection systems. The US also indicated that the Japanese Government was not justified in its decision to exclude Canadian beef from our beef and beef products exported to Japan.
Canada's Minister was very complimentary of US efforts to resolve the issue, and of their commitment to renew trade with Canada.
The US is implementing a voluntary US Beef Export Certification Program for export to Japan. Packers and processors enrolled in this voluntary program will be eligible to export product to Japan. The Certification requirements call for exported beef to be from animals slaughtered in the US, and there is no apparent requirement that the animals be born, raised and marketed in the US. The US also indicated that it will work with Japan to eliminate this requirement which they stressed was a voluntary program and not scientifically justified.
The US renewed its trade on the understanding that it would work with the international community, to develop a more risk-based approach to countries reporting a low incidence of BSE. A paper commissioned by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, in collaboration with the Coalition, is being presented for consideration in this regard.
Changes enabling the export of live ruminants to slaughter in the US will be processed through the US’ rule-making or legislative process. It’s uncertain how quickly these can be made effective, although the process will begin immediately for the importation of live ruminants and ruminant products
Product allowed to enter the US under permit includes:
ØHunter-harvested wild ruminant products for personal use;
ØCaribou and Musk ox meat from the Canadian province of Nunavut for commercial use;
ØVeal (meat) from calves 36 weeks of age or less at slaughter;
ØBoneless meat from sheep or goats that were 12 months of age or younger at slaughter;
ØMeat from farm-raised cervids (cervids include deer and elk);
ØBoneless bovine meat from cattle that were 30 months of age or younger at slaughter;
ØFresh or frozen bovine liver;
ØFinished pet chews that are made from bone, ligaments, hides or hooves; and
ØCalf milk replacer, pet food, and feed ingredients that contain processed animal protein and tallow of non-ruminant sources when produced in facilities with dedicated manufacturing lines.
Application for import permits can be obtained now, from http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/import_export.htm .