Implementation of the American country-of-origin labelling law has been delayed until Oct. 1, 2005, but Canadian beef producers are more concerned about lifting the trade ban imposed because of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
“We’re definitely pleased about it but country-of-origin is secondary to opening the border,” said Neil Jahnke, president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.
Canadian beef and cattle were banned from international trade May 20.
The country-of-origin requirement was delayed when the American House of Representatives appropriations subcommittee on agriculture voted to block funding needed to implement the mandatory labelling law for red meats, fish, fruit and vegetables.
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Before BSE was discovered, the Canadian beef industry was developing plans to broaden its export strategy and lessen dependence on the U.S. market.
“We’re not sidestepping the plan but we can’t move on anything until the border is open,” said Jahnke.
U.S. opposition
American meat processors, packers and retailers were generally opposed to the labelling law because of the expense in proving that all meat products came from animals born, raised and processed in the United States.
Canada shipped about 500,000 feeder calves to the U.S. last year.
Jahnke hopes this delay gives the North American beef industry time to harmonize its health standards, trading practices and disease surveillance programs. This could demonstrate to domestic and international consumers that all beef from the continent is acceptable.
“One of my goals is to see we have a North American standard with uniform health standards.”
