April 26, 2004

Canada To Ease Restrictions On US Beef Imports

The Canadian government will permit a wider range of meat and meat products to be imported from the U.S. under changes made Friday to import rules, according the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
 
Canada has restricted imports of various U.S. products since bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad-cow disease, was detected in Washington State last December.
 
Effective immediately, Canadian import requirements will give U.S. exporters broader latitude to ship products from cattle younger than 30 months of age, including boneless and bone-in beef, and various processed products such as ground beef and salami, the CFIA said Friday in a press release. The movement of these products is facilitated through revised certification procedures agreed to by the countries.
 
In addition, amendments to Canadian import regulations allow U.S. exporters to ship to Canada boneless and bone-in meat from bison younger than 30 months of age, as well as boneless meat from sheep and goats younger than 12 months of age.
 
These new Canadian import requirements match changes to U.S. import conditions, including the changes announced last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
 
Also amended are live animal import regulations for veal calves. Cattle of any age were already allowed into Canada for immediate slaughter, and now these young calves can be imported for feeding as well. Canada will also permit imports of animals for temporary stay, such as those performing in rodeos or agricultural shows, the CFIA said.
 
In recognition of the similar risk mitigation approaches of Canada and the U.S., both countries have collaborated closely over the past several months in their progression toward harmonized import policies, the release said. As has been the case throughout the BSE issue, Canadian and U.S. officials continue to work cooperatively to develop consistent approaches to North American animal health and food safety based on science, the release said.