Banned Product Intercepted

An Aug. 3 shipment of Canadian cattle that contained eight pregnant cows and one animal that was slightly over 30 months resulted in a small beef recall in the United States and disciplinary action in Canada. 

All of these animals are banned under the rules governing Canadian cattle imports.  The pregnant cows were discovered at the packing plant and the fetuses were destroyed.  The subsequent check of records is what turned up the over-aged animal.  Meat from that animal, which was slaughtered, was recalled because there was a chance that it might include pieces of backbone.

USDA reminded Canadian officials about the rules for importing live cattle.  Canadian officials suspended the accreditation of the private veterinarian who inspected the over-aged animal.  Also, for the time being Canada will not issue any export certificates to the exporter who shipped the animals.  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it has a zero-tolerance policy for violations in this export program.