Which is it?

[Cedar]

I'm afraid I'm confused...with this latest announcement from the US allowing imports of bone-in beef, hamburger, etc., are they talking about under 30 months only, or did they just open their border to all beef including over 30 months meat? It seems like any info coming through the media states "under 30 months" while any info from the "official" websites seems to make no mention of the age of the animal at slaughter. Anybody got this one figured out?

[topper]

I noticed this as well Cedar. According to export permit rules we should be able to export over 30 months right now.

[cowman]

I find this whole thing very strange. If you are basically taking the whole animal in carcass form(in a box..and I believe all the organs too) then why wouldn't you take the live animal? This whole ruling is bizarre to say the least and how come it caught all the cattle organizations with their pants down?
I mean don't you think the USDA would have told them ahead of time.
Now R-calf says the USDA broke the rules and are taking them to court. What happens if they get an injunction? Which is very possible? I assume they must have a valid reason to take the USDA to court over this?
I just assumed the hamburger mentioned would be under thirty months but if it isn't then things are even more bizarre?
And besides, from what I understand of this deal, any federally inspected plant that has the capability to export would be allowed to ship hamburger? Now I suspect most of these plants wouldn't be adverse to slipping in a little cow meat in the mix if the opportunity presented itself? After all these people aren't exactly little paragons of decent ethics, now are they?

[cowman]

All strange and bizzare except for the packers reaction. More bone in beef and other products (very likely under 30 months) and a lower Canadian dollar translate into what. LOWER packer offerings this week in Canada!!!!!!
Pirates and theives.
Got my third letter from our Agricultural Ministers office yesterday telling me to calm down and read the facts. These American owned packers are doing nothing wrong. Looks like I will have to spend another few minutes today writing the minister again. Last letter (word) wins I guess. They sure as hell will never convince me.

[whiteface]

I admire and thankyou rpkaiser for staying on top of the politicians. Not letting up I really feel is something we all need to take a few minutes a day everyday lobbying and harranssing and keeping people honest. I enjoy talking with all of you in this column but I strongly think these comments need to be in front of our governments on a continuous basis as well. Thankyou to all of you sourcing the information as well regarding the status of what the rules currently say about exports

[cakadu]

You make a good point whiteface - we all need to step up to the plate when it is necessary. It's one thing to keep pointing out the problems, but if you do nothing about them, then aren't you part of the problem as well?

Personally, what I have found works best is to say something along the lines of what you see you like and what would make you like it even more is.....

No one likes to hear that their ideas stink - even if they do - you can THINK that but don't come right out and say it. You can say the same thing with a positive slant to it and it is much more effective.

At least someone is getting news on what can cross the border now. Has anyone heard anything at all about lamb? I have searched everywhere including sheep sites and there is nothing on there about what can now cross the line. Up until now it has been boneless lamb under 12 months, but how many people buy boneless lamb?

If anyone has heard anything about lamb, it would be great to hear what it is.

Thanks.

[topper]

Go to the following APHIS site and look under List of low risk products. It will tell you what you want to know however it doesn't look like much change on sheep.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/bse/bse_can.html