Panama reopens to Canadian cattle exports

Panama has completely lifted the ban on imports from Canada such live cattle and genetics.

The announcement by federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan follows the May 14 signing of the Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement, and Panama reopening its ports last August to imports of Canadian beef.

"Panama may be a small market, but this announcement builds on last year's re-opening in Colombia and continues the momentum that we hope will spread throughout all of Latin America," The Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) said in a separate release.

"Every new market is a new opportunity and we are glad to see Panama join the growing list of countries who acknowledge the quality and safety of Canadian livestock genetics products" such as semen and embryos, said Russell Gammon, executive secretary of Jersey Canada and president of the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association (CLGA).

The CCA also noted the timeliness of Panama's announcement, given the recent signing of the free trade deal, which is expected to eventually provide duty-free access for all Canadian beef products.

"We are particularly pleased that Panama has agreed to provide immediate duty-free access for the highest quality Canadian beef grades," Travis Toews, president of the CCA, said.

The CCA sees an opportunity to supply beef to cruise ships taking on provisions at the Panama Canal.

The CCA, CLGA and Canada Beef Export Federation regard the efforts of the federal government and cabinet ministers such as Ritz and Van Loan in normalizing beef trade.