THE battle for the Canadian cattle industry to recover from bovine spongiform encephalopathy is being fought, and won, by frustratingly small increments.
Next week will see four full months of borders closed to Canadian beef. Everyone had hoped for quicker solutions, but it is clear that a return to normalcy in the Canadian cattle industry will be slow and the new normal may not have the same latitude as the old.
Provincial and federal governments have provided interim support, with varying degrees of success. Cattle producers may find government programs wanting, but hopefully that doesn’t blind them to positive developments in the war to reclaim Canadian beef and cattle markets.
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That front is inching forward.
Last week the first shipments of boxed young beef were made to the United States, with much more to come. On other export fronts, Mexico announced intentions to accept low-risk beef muscle cuts from Canada, and may import beyond pre-ban levels by accepting up to 144,000 tonnes annually.
Russia is proposing to import beef from cows over 30 months if each animal is tested for BSE. The Philippines has indicated interest in product from older animals as well and other countries are making similar noises.
An even more crucial development is the U.S. department of agriculture suggestion that it would issue in October proposals regarding the import of live Canadian cattle under 30 months old. After a comment period, the U.S. government could clear final rules, possibly within the first quarter of 2004.
That could stretch the border closure for Canadian live animals to 11 months Ð a long, painful time for the cattle industry and yet a record for any country to resume live shipments after discovering BSE within its borders.
On the home front, prices for fed and feeder cattle are gradually rising. Canadian packers will be encouraged to maintain high slaughter rates to sell into the U.S. market, now enjoying record beef prices because of a shortage of market-ready cattle.
Members of a Canadian beef industry round table have established a working group of producers, packers and government representatives to solve the cull cattle riddle – how to add value to a market floundering because of export age restrictions and reduced demand.
Through it all, consumers remain supportive. In July alone they bought more than 123,000 tonnes of beef, compared to 76,000 in July 2002 – a 62 percent increase.
And so the battle continues. Cattle producers, in the midst of the fray and with no end in sight, may feel despair.
But success in any campaign is the result of small victories. Some wins have been recorded and more will come if consumer support continues and governments renew their commitment.
