The new American rule governing the post-BSE importation of beef cattle and meat may not open the border to other ruminants.
Brian Evans, Canada’s chief veterinary officer, said if the rule, which is expected to soon open to 90 days of public commentary, does not also allow sheep, goats, bison and other ruminant species, then the Canadian government should be prepared to act.
The new rule is expected to reflect that both Canada and the United States are countries that have a low risk of BSE and to allow a restricted resumption of trade in young, live cattle and more meat trade.
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Evans said while he wouldn’t want to second guess the American administration’s intentions, he hopes that Canadian industry and officials are prepared to react quickly.
“Those livestock sectors can’t afford to wait another 18 months for another rule to be created … in many ways they have been hit harder than beef. Those species are caught up in this even though they aren’t susceptible,” he said. “Small ruminants don’t have a voice like cattle do in Washington,” Evans said.
Philip Clemens, of Hatfield Quality Meats of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, operates a hog packing facility, a food marketing company and owns many livestock farms.
He is also the past-president of the powerful U.S. meat processors’ association, the American Meat Institute.
He told a crowd attending the Dec. 7 Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan’s annual meeting in Saskatoon, that he “hopes the new rule will open up to all ruminants. But there’s so much political influence from a bunch of rogue farmers up in the northern tier states that don’t want to work together with anybody, that anything is possible with the language.”
Clemens said the current tariff on Canadian hogs “is an example of the kind of problem that can be expected right now. No science. No economics. Lots of politics. I think we can expect that much.”
Evans said there are remedies outside of the rule-making system including the North American Free Trade Agreement.
“We wouldn’t rule out trying to go to a mediated process with the United States if we find the rule-making process doesn’t get us there. We’ll have to go to one of these other processes because there are other sectors out there, that if they haven’t been encompassed in this rule, that really need their interests represented as quickly as possible,” said Evans.
Clemens said the protectionist elements of the U.S. government need to be prevented from interfering with North American trade in food by creating remedies that “aren’t so easily ignored.”
Evans said efforts continue to get the border opened as an early Christmas present.
“We’re going to keep pushing every day with calls and meetings to get that border open, not just for the cattle industry, but for the other affected sectors as well,” said Evans.
