March 18, 2008

Live cattle trade with Mexico moves closer to resolution

(Audio with Gregg Doud, chief economist for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association)

Since USDA expanded live cattle imports from Canada several months ago, U.S. cattlemen have been waiting for the government of Mexico to extend similar treatment to breeding stock from the United States. But our live cattle exports to Mexico have remained limited to dairy heifers under the age of 24 months – a result of restrictions imposed several years ago due to BSE.

This issue recently became very controversial, when Mexico opened its borders to Canadian breeding stock up to 30 months of age. Upon learning of this inequity, state officials in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico put a stop to the transfer of such cattle through their export facilities. This action has brought officials from all three countries together to work out a more consistent trade protocol for live cattle.

In the following National Cattlemen’s Beef Association audio clip, NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud says that while some details remain to be worked out, the issue is getting closer to resolution:

Audio Clip:       :33        Out cue: “…we’re getting closer.”