September 18, 2009

Colombia will resume imports of Canadian beef from all ages of cattle, marking an end to a six-year-old ban, according to Canadian Trade Minister Stockwell Day on Wednesday (Sept 16).

Colombia is the first market in South America to reopen to Canadian beef imports since mad cow disease was detected in Canada in 2003.

Colombia would initially be a US$6 million market for beef, but the Canadian cattle industry hopes this triggers a reopening of other South American markets.

The trade in Canadian beef will resume once the two governments have agreed on the certification of exports.

Canada and Colombia have signed a bilateral free trade agreement, which will also expand market access in Colombia for products such as wheat, pulses and barley. The FTA is subject to Parliamentary approval.