Contact:            Joe Schuele, 303-850-3360 or 720-987-4783 (mobile)

                        jschuele@beef.org

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Statement on Expanding Cattle Imports from Canada

Terry Stokes, NCBA chief executive officer

November 18, 2005

“Yesterday, NCBA ‘s animal health scientist Dr. Gary Weber joined me in representing U.S. cattlemen at a meeting in Canada to continue pushing for science-based resolution of all animal health issues between the two countries.  The meeting included leading officials from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

“NCBA and its state affiliates have been frustrated by the lack of access to the Canadian market for U.S. feeder and breeding cattle.  While progress has been made to open the Canadian border to the movement of feeder cattle year-round, significant barriers still exist to the movement of breeding cattle. 

“That said, progress was made at this week’s meeting. We expect resolution on Canada’s restrictions on bluetongue for all classes of U.S. cattle to end by mid-2006, after completion of an ongoing risk assessment project.  On anaplasmosis, NCBA and APHIS made clear at the meeting the United States’ expectation is that any risk mitigation measures are science-based and allow for expanded cattle trade into Canada.

“NCBA will not support advancing resumption of trade with Canada on cattle over 30 months until science-based harmonization is achieved on all animal health issues.  There has been discussion about such a rule in media reports this week despite the fact that a proposed rule has not been introduced by USDA.  As with every rule-making process, there will be an opportunity for comment.   When such a proposal is published, NCBA will maintain the need for harmonization to ensure fair trade between the two countries. 

“NCBA’s commitment to free trade is well-documented, and we speak with great credibility on this issue. Normalization of trade is our goal, but normalization is a two-way street and can only be achieved if trade provisions are equitable.

“NCBA will continue to encourage the USDA to make science-based decisions relative to trade of beef and cattle.  NCBA will never favor any change in trade policy that threatens our herd health or the safety of our food supply. We do not feel that Canadian cattle pose any such threat, and it is irresponsible to suggest otherwise.  However, Canada’s restrictions on U.S. breeding stock and feeder cattle - especially those related to anaplasmosis and bluetongue – have placed undue hardship on America’s cattle producers for too long.  NCBA will continue to be at the table to fight for equitable trade for U.S. cattlemen.

“Earlier this year, NCBA was instrumental in convincing USDA to limit both live cattle and boxed beef imports from Canada to 30 months of age and younger. Our producer-members adopted this policy based on sound science and in the interest of fair trade.”

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