HALIFAX – Although it is expected the United States administration will move this autumn to open the border to Canadian cattle older than 30 months, Canadian producers should not assume that will be the end of the border issue.
A senior Canadian Cattlemen’s Association official warned last week that American political and legal systems could keep the final outcome in doubt for months.
John Masswohl, Ottawa-based director of government and international relations, told the CCA foreign trade committee Aug. 16 that he is confident the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be able to announce reopening of the border for older cattle effective in late 2007.
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If Rule 2 clears the bureaucratic hurdles and is announced in September, it would take effect 60 days later. A Sept. 15 announcement would mean the border opens Nov. 14.
However, Masswohl said the anti-import lobby R-CALF almost certainly would launch a legal challenge, costing the CCA more to monitor and intervene in the case.
And in Washington, Congress would have the right to disallow the rule within the first 60 congressional sitting days of the announcement. Masswohl said that deadline can be extended indefinitely.
With the protectionist Democrats in slim control of both Houses of Congress, there will be pressure for them to do just that, said Masswohl. President George Bush could veto the congressional move and it would take a two-thirds majority to overturn the veto.
Masswohl said it is highly unlikely the rule could be overturned, but he warned that uncertainty could continue.
“There will be talk and speculation (about challenges),” he said.
“Their chances of getting it through are slim, but we’ll have to watch it.”
