January 6, 2005

Mexico To Continue Canadian Beef Imports Despite New Mad Cow Case

Mexico will not impose additional restrictive measures on Canadian beef imports despite a new confirmed case of mad cow disease in Canada, according to the Mexican government on Wednesday.

Mexico will continue to import Canadian beef and beef-made products that meet international standards, said Javier Trujillo, a senior official of Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development.

Mexico has already adopted some restrictive measures on the import of Canadian beef since the first case of mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), was found in Canada in 2003.

Last year, Mexico imported 70,000 tons of beef or beef-made products from Canada, said Trujillo, noting they all met international standards and had no harm to health.

The Canadian government confirmed on Jan. 2 that a second case had been found in the western province of Alberta. Canada's first case was found in May 2003.