Organization for Competitive Markets
P.O. Box 6486
Lincoln, NE 68506
www.competitivemarkets.com
Date: October 5, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Stumo, General Counsel, 860.379.6199
OCM: Canadian Feed Ban Violations Should Halt Beef Imports
Lincoln, NE ~ The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) said today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) should immediately revoke import permits held by companies that transport Canadian boxed beef and beef products into the U.S. OCM’s position arises from a report by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that the BSE-infected Canadian cow diagnosed in May 2003 was rendered into animal feed.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported last week that a CFIA inspection found several violations of the country’s 1997 law banning the practice of feeding the rendered remains of cattle back to other cattle in animal feed. That feed was sold to as many as 1,800 farms. In fact, the report specifically indicated the May 2003 BSE-infected Canadian cow that caused the first U.S.-Canada border closure last year was rendered into animal feed. Two hundred cattle operations were visited, revealing several cases where cows were exposed to the feed. Three farms were quarantined and 63 cattle were destroyed as a result. Live Canadian cattle are currently not allowed in the U.S.
“This lack of compliance reveals risks and uncertainties that justify halting further beef imports,” said Keith Mudd, OCM president. “BSE discoveries caused serious harm to markets in Britain, Japan, Canada and the U.S. The USDA should not allow further beef imports until the scope of the Canadian feed ban violations are known.”
The CBC report stated government inspectors found several cases where cattle were exposed to the feed; the agency learned frequent cross-contamination of chicken and cattle feed occurs; and in one case, a producer admitted feeding chicken feed to cattle. At one farm, inspectors found poultry droppings mixed with feed that had been left available for cattle. Dr. Neil Cashman, professor of neurological disease at the University of Toronto, told the CBC that no cattle should be rendered into feed because feed mix-ups are common.
USDA currently issues import permits for “Low Risk Canadian Products.” According to documents on the USDA website, certain boneless Canadian beef are allowed into the U.S. through the issuance of USDA import permits. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency must verify that the animals “are not known to have been fed prohibited products during their lifetime.” Beef imports from Canada to the U.S. have increased significantly in 2004 to pre-BSE levels.
“Canadian officials can no longer honestly verify that beef sold to U.S. outlets was derived from cattle not known to have been fed rendered cattle remains,” continued Mudd. “USDA cannot rely on the assurances relating to import permits that have been issued. All current import permits should be revoked until we know the scope of the problem. It is unfortunate that some producers are harmed by outbreaks of any sort. However, quarantine, isolation and segregation are the methods necessary to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease, brucellosis and BSE.”
"USDA continues the practice of placing the ‘USDA inspected’ stamp on Canadian beef. Consumers are misled that the meat originates from the U.S. and that it is proven free of disease,” commented Mudd. "Congress should respond with immediate implementation of Country of Origin Labeling to provide further confidence and information to the U.S. consumer.”
The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) is a multidisciplinary, nonprofit group of farmers, ranchers, academics, attorneys and policy makers dedicated to reclaiming the agricultural marketplace for independent farmers, ranchers and rural communities. OCM helps lead the Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project which is a voluntary contribution program funding the effort to increase demand for U.S. cattle and beef in open and competitive markets.
P.O. Box 6486
Lincoln, NE 68506
www.competitivemarkets.com
Date: October 5, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Stumo, General Counsel, 860.379.6199
OCM: Canadian Feed Ban Violations Should Halt Beef Imports
Lincoln, NE ~ The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) said today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) should immediately revoke import permits held by companies that transport Canadian boxed beef and beef products into the U.S. OCM’s position arises from a report by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that the BSE-infected Canadian cow diagnosed in May 2003 was rendered into animal feed.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported last week that a CFIA inspection found several violations of the country’s 1997 law banning the practice of feeding the rendered remains of cattle back to other cattle in animal feed. That feed was sold to as many as 1,800 farms. In fact, the report specifically indicated the May 2003 BSE-infected Canadian cow that caused the first U.S.-Canada border closure last year was rendered into animal feed. Two hundred cattle operations were visited, revealing several cases where cows were exposed to the feed. Three farms were quarantined and 63 cattle were destroyed as a result. Live Canadian cattle are currently not allowed in the U.S.
“This lack of compliance reveals risks and uncertainties that justify halting further beef imports,” said Keith Mudd, OCM president. “BSE discoveries caused serious harm to markets in Britain, Japan, Canada and the U.S. The USDA should not allow further beef imports until the scope of the Canadian feed ban violations are known.”
The CBC report stated government inspectors found several cases where cattle were exposed to the feed; the agency learned frequent cross-contamination of chicken and cattle feed occurs; and in one case, a producer admitted feeding chicken feed to cattle. At one farm, inspectors found poultry droppings mixed with feed that had been left available for cattle. Dr. Neil Cashman, professor of neurological disease at the University of Toronto, told the CBC that no cattle should be rendered into feed because feed mix-ups are common.
USDA currently issues import permits for “Low Risk Canadian Products.” According to documents on the USDA website, certain boneless Canadian beef are allowed into the U.S. through the issuance of USDA import permits. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency must verify that the animals “are not known to have been fed prohibited products during their lifetime.” Beef imports from Canada to the U.S. have increased significantly in 2004 to pre-BSE levels.
“Canadian officials can no longer honestly verify that beef sold to U.S. outlets was derived from cattle not known to have been fed rendered cattle remains,” continued Mudd. “USDA cannot rely on the assurances relating to import permits that have been issued. All current import permits should be revoked until we know the scope of the problem. It is unfortunate that some producers are harmed by outbreaks of any sort. However, quarantine, isolation and segregation are the methods necessary to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease, brucellosis and BSE.”
"USDA continues the practice of placing the ‘USDA inspected’ stamp on Canadian beef. Consumers are misled that the meat originates from the U.S. and that it is proven free of disease,” commented Mudd. "Congress should respond with immediate implementation of Country of Origin Labeling to provide further confidence and information to the U.S. consumer.”
The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) is a multidisciplinary, nonprofit group of farmers, ranchers, academics, attorneys and policy makers dedicated to reclaiming the agricultural marketplace for independent farmers, ranchers and rural communities. OCM helps lead the Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project which is a voluntary contribution program funding the effort to increase demand for U.S. cattle and beef in open and competitive markets.
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