OIE Recognizes Canada As Controlled BSE Risk

[farmers_son]

This is very, very good news and should be all that is required to see the U.S. proceed with its Rule 2.


Surveillance and Eradication Programs
PARIS, France, May 22, 2007 - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister Responsible for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, today issued the following statement from the 75th General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

“I am very pleased to announce that Canada has been officially categorized by the OIE as a Controlled BSE Risk country. This status clearly recognizes the effectiveness of Canada’s surveillance, mitigation and eradication measures.

This categorization acknowledges the work done by all levels of government, the cattle industry, veterinarians, and ranchers to effectively manage and eventually eradicate BSE in Canada. We will continue to work together on initiatives, such as the recently announced enhanced feed ban, to maintain and improve upon this status in the coming years.

The OIE’s science-based categorization system provides the framework for fair and standardized international trade based on safeguards agreed to by member countries. With this controlled risk categorization, we are confident that our trading partners will continue to recognize and respond positively to Canada’s commitment to animal health and food safety, and that Canadian cattle will once again be sold throughout the world.”

For information about the OIE risk categorization system, please see the fact sheet on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/disemala/bseesb/bseesbindexe.shtml

Contact:

CFIA media relations
613-228-6682

[topper]

F_S:I have to agree that this is great news for the canadian cattle producer. I wonder why we should even need a rule 2 if both countries are considered the same risk.

[catlman]

Don't worry the US will try to restrict trade any way they can. They are the same risk as Canada even though they have reported less cases. Which means the world knows their surveilence program is the SSS program. I wonder why WK isn't announcing this from the mountain tops that the US was classified as BSE controlled risk by the OIE? Now we are going to see an even beigger push for COOL from the R-CALF gang they need some way to differenciate their product and say it is better. And everyone one knows that is true. LOL LMAO

[Willowcreek]

Except most the rest of the world doesn't go by the OIE or take them serious...OIE, WTO, UN, NAFTA, GATT, all are a farce and nothing but a joke...

And I've seen nothing under the "controlled risk" status that advises it is OK to be trading live OTM cattle between countries...

Remember USDA isn't even going by the OIE-- this Rule 2 is a "minimal risk" classification they dreamed up for just the Packers to get access to their cheaper captive market Canadian cattle.....

---------------------------


Japan rules out immediate relaxation of U.S. beef import terms



Kyodo News

Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 14:32 EDT



TOKYO — The government's top spokesman ruled out Wednesday an immediate relaxation of Japan's terms for the import of U.S. beef following a decision by the World Organization for Animal Health to allow the United States to export beef irrespective of cattle age. "This will not immediately lead Japan to alter its conditions for beef imports," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki told a news conference.



"It is crucial for relevant parties to take steps based on scientific grounds in line with the principles that the safety of foods must be ensured and that consumers' confidence can be secured," he said. What is particularly important is that experts at the Food Safety Commission, an advisory panel to the government on food safety matters, are able to conclude that imported U.S. beef does not pose a risk to human health irrespective of cattle age, Shiozaki suggested. He made the remarks a day after the 167-member Paris-based organization agreed to authorize the United States to export beef regardless of cattle age as long as specified risk materials, such as brains, are removed.



japantoday.com

[kato]

The Japanese are not going to make any moves before hearing if the Creekstone thing goes ahead or not. It would be so much easier to just take tested beef, that they won't start up some new protocol now.

Better to put the costs of the sellers.

[kato]

OOPS.

Better to put the costs ON the sellers.

[rkaiser]

About the best news that I can gather from this announcement is that Willowcreek will now be allowed to buy some breeding stock from good old Kaiser very soon. Ain't that great news Oldtimer?

As far as great news for the Canadian Cattleman in general?????? How will - even an open border to cows change the price at the farm gate farmers-son? I think we are about topped out with the dollar climbing etc.

If testing is allowed in Canada folks, think of a story that Kaiser told you about Cargill and MacDonalds and a big deal between two big players.

Can't wait till you pull in with yer trailer to pick up that $5000.00 bull. That will soon be $5500 CDN for you and yer American friends there Old Boy. Better get GW out of there quick or you might be sucking the hind tit of the world pretty soon.

[farmers_son]

This week cull cow prices in South Dakota are .54 to .60 cents. That amounts to the U.S. producer receiving $250 more for a cull cow than would be received if that same cow were sold in Alberta today. I would expect that situation to correct itself once Rule 2 is finalized and live cows can again enter the U.S. Pre BSE the U.S. was an important market for our live cull cows.

The OIE announcement further underlines the truth that the risk of BSE is identical in Canada as it is in the United States (remember the International Panel that said BSE was a North American problem?) and that protectionism based restrictions on U.S. imports of Canadian live cattle and beef cannot be justified any longer and indeed never were justified.

And if the U.S. gets busy and finalizes Rule 2 in the next few weeks we will not have to shut the taps off after all. Check out:

http://www.producer.com/free/editorial/news.php?iss=2007-04-26&sec=news&sto=75

Every day nearly ½ million barrels of oil moves to Wisconsin through a single pipeline lying 3 feet or less under the surface of Canadian cow producers land. The oil traveling through that single pipeline, and there are others, is worth more than the entire U.S live cattle slaughter. I do not think Willowcreek and U.S. cow producers like him have a very good grasp of the situation. They may be right when they say “OIE, WTO, UN, NAFTA, GATT, all are a farce” but maybe the U.S. understands these letters: OIL.

Now…is the border going to be open to our cows in June or not.