June 21, 2004

 

 

U.S. Border May Soon Open To Canadian Cattle

 

Live Canadian cattle could be moving into the United States as early as mid-August, federal Agriculture Minister Bob Speller said Friday.

 

But cattle producers were skeptical after seeing hopes repeatedly dashed in the 13 months since an Alberta cow tested positive for mad cow disease. Speller said his officials have told him it is only a matter of weeks before a new rule change is approved and cattle under 30 months can be sent across the American border.

 

"Either the middle of August or end of August, but we believe it will be before the fall," Speller said from his constituency office in Simcoe, Ont.

 

His scenario was flatly rejected by feedlot operator Rick Paskal, who was in Washington earlier this week with other cattle producers meeting with senior officials in the U.S. agriculture and trade departments.

 

"What Mr. Speller is saying is absolutely not true," said Paskal, whose southern Alberta feedlots are sitting two-thirds empty.

 

"We have absolutely no reason to feel that this border will open even this year," he said. "We met with the person who talks to the president on a weekly basis on this. There's no way in the world this is going to happen."

 

Live Canadian cattle have been banned from international markets since a northern Alberta cow tested positive in May 2003 for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE.

 

Some boneless beef cuts have been allowed into the U.S. since September, but trade in live animals is the core of the industry.

 

While the cattle industry hopes the minister's information is correct, the election is likely playing into this.

 

"I've never been exposed to any timelines and we've been pressing for one for over a year, so trusting Minister Speller, I hope he's right," said Stan Eby, president of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association.

 

The border opening would mean an immediate jump in value for young cattle under 30 months, which are believed at lowest risk of developing BSE.

 

"If the border was open to beef cattle, we'd see a move in our market price of a minimum of 15 cents a pound in minutes," Eby said from Kitchener, Ont., after leaving a rally of 500 producers.

 

"And it could be much greater than that."

 

Cattle ranchers and farming communities across Canada have lost billions and rallies have been held across the country to showcase their plight.

 

More than 200 farmers and truckers turned out Friday in central Alberta to draw attention to their plight.

 

As the drivers of half a dozen empty cattle liners sounded their horns in sympathy with producers, speaker after speaker outlined the devastation the rural economy has experienced.

 

There was a growing sense, however, that producers have run out of patience - and money - waiting for the border to open and no longer wish to focus on that. Instead, there is more talk of investing in their own slaughter facilities, retail outlets and even restaurants.