Comments on proposed U.S. rules that could open the border to live Canadian cattle and sheep have changed since the Americans became a BSE-have country.
The March 8 set of proposed rules to open the American border say trade should not be restricted to beef from animals younger than 30 months because the U.S. system still allows the sale of older beef for food itself and the U.S., like Canada, is now a BSE “minimal-risk” country.
A BSE discovery was announced in Canada last May. Then a U.S. case was discovered in Washington state in December.
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In the proposed rules, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s inspection service said measures that ensure specified risk materials are removed, such as brain and spinal cord material, must be in place before beef from older animals would be accepted.
“We believe such measures are already being taken in Canada,” the proposed rules state.
USDA spokesperson Ed Coretti said live animals are also included in the proposed border opening.
“The proposed rules suggest that animals under 30 months from minimal-risk countries, such as Canada should be allowed to enter the country.”
So far, 807 individual comments have been recorded in the two official periods. Of 61 apparently Canadian responses, 22 are from groups, associations or their known representatives and 39 appear to be from individual Canadians.
Comments were mainly from Alberta with 33, Saskatchewan 12, Manitoba nine, Ontario 10, Quebec three and the Maritimes two.
Producers and others can offer their comments until April 7 via e-mail at regulations@aphis.usda.gov or on the internet at www/aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/cominst.html.
By mail, four copies of the comments should go to Docket No. 03-080-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Maryland, U.S.A. 20737-1238.
For information about the proposed rules, go to www.producer.com and click on links in the news.
