Mexico has agreed to lift its ban on Canadian breeding cattle.
The suspension was placed in August when Canada reported its 14th case of BSE in a six-year-old Alberta beef cow.
“It was an unfortunate gap in our Mexican market,” said Rick McRonald of the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association. He said the brief closure was a result of internal pressure in Mexico among some who did not want an open border to Canadian cattle born after 1999.
The genetics association, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the federal government said there was no need to suspend trade because Canada, the United States and Mexico all have the same BSE controlled status under world animal health organization guidelines.
Mexico is interested in importing dairy heifers because of a milk shortage there. As the Canadian dollar devalues, exports to some markets are expected to improve.
