For the first time in over four years, the U.S. border has been opened to Canadian cattle over 30 months old.
The ban on the import of older cattle was removed starting November 19, following decisions by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that found the risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canadian cattle "negligible."
The U.S. shut its border to Canadian cattle in May 2003 when a case of BSE was found in Alberta. The ban was eased in July 2005, when the border was re-opened to young cattle under 30-months of age.
Under the new rule, the USDA allows all cattle and meat from animals born after March 1999—when a feed ban to stop the spread of BSE came into effect in Canada—to be imported to the U.S.
The rule has been welcomed by Canadian cattle farmers and groups as well as some groups in the U.S. who are happy to see trade relations return to their normal state. However, concerns over the pace of import resumption remain given the additional inspection requirements and the high Canadian dollar that gives a lower return for U.S. sales.
Opposition to the trade rule has been strong from some consumer and cattle groups in the U.S., who say it puts U.S. cattle at increased risk for BSE.
The Montana-based Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund (R-CALF) along with several other groups have asked a U.S. District Court judge in South Dakota for a temporary restraining order to stop the trade.
"Research by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shows that Canada's cattle herd is 26 times more likely to test positive for BSE than U.S. cattle," R-CALF member Allen Lund said in a statement.
"Import another case of BSE into this country and we are going to lose any export markets that we have regained," said Lund.
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE, commonly known as mad cow disease, is widely thought to be transmitted through feed containing minced cattle remains, particularly brain and spinal tissue.
There have been 10 cases of the disease recorded in Canada, and 3 cases in the United States.
Timeline
May 2003
A cow in Alberta is confirmed to have BSE. The U.S. bans all imports of Canadian beef.
December 2003
The first case of BSE is found in a cow in the U.S. Many countries including Japan, South Korea, and Brazil ban imports of American beef. The cow is later confirmed to have been born in Canada.
December 2004
U.S. announces that it will open its borders to live Canadian cattle aged 30 months or younger beginning in March 2005. A second case of BSE is found in a cow in Alberta.
January 2005
A third case of BSE is found in Alberta.
March 2005
A U.S. District Judge imposes a temporary injunction to stop reopening the border to Canadian cattle.
June 2005
A second case of BSE is found in the U.S.
July 2005
A Court of Appeals overturns the temporary injunction banning import of Canadian cattle. Imports of live Canadian cattle 30-months-old and younger to the U.S. begin.
January 2006
A fourth case of BSE is found in an Alberta cow.
March 2006
A third case of BSE is found in a cow in the U.S.
April 2006
A fifth case of BSE is found in Canada, this time in British Columbia.
July 2006
Canada's sixth case of BSE is found in a cow in Manitoba. A seventh case is
found in Alberta.
April 2006
An eighth case of BSE in Canada is found in an Alberta cow.
November 2006
USDA submits a rule to allow the import of all Canadian beef and live cattle born after March 1, 1999, including cattle older than 30-months, for review.
February 2007
A ninth case of BSE in Canada is found in a cow in Alberta.
May 2007
A tenth case of BSE in Canada is found in a cow in British Columbia.
November 2007
The U.S. opens its border to all Canadian beef and live cattle born after March 1, 1999.
Feeds