A resolution of disapproval against the U.S. Department of Agriculture rule to open the border to older Canadian cattle and beef has been introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
The move to halt trade through the legislative process rather than seeking court injunctions did not surprise Canadian officials who are watching the resolution’s progress.
“We’ve got the same sort of group we usually see, a number of protectionist individuals who we anticipated would bring some sort of effort to have the rule disapproved,” said Dennis Laycraft, executive vice-president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.
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“We’re disappointed, but we’re not surprised.”
The Oct. 3 resolution from senator Brian Dorgan of North Dakota was supported by seven other senators from the Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming and Ohio, as well as R-CALF, and a new group called U.S. Cattlemen’s Association.
A similar resolution was presented to the House Oct. 4 saying an open border jeopardizes U.S. chances of fully returning to offshore markets like South Korea that do not trade with Canada. It was also argued Canada has a higher BSE risk and accepting the products puts U.S. consumers at risk.
A resolution of disapproval does not affect USDA policy unless both the U.S. House and Senate pass it by majority votes and the president supports it with his signature.
The USDA intends to resume trade in all ages of Canadian cattle and beef Nov. 19.
