October 22, 2010

China's decision on Canadian beef imports awaited

The Chinese market for Canadian beef under 30 months of age is expected to reopen in January, according to Canadian Agriculture Minister Jack Hayden.

During an announcement Wednesday (Oct 20) on new traceability principles, Hayden said inspectors from China would be in the province soon.

"After their inspectors visit our province, my expectation is that we're back in business for beef under 30 months of age in January of this year. This would open an important market for us," Hayden said.

China already accepts shipments of Canadian beef under 20 months.

The province and beef industry representatives signed the Guiding Principles for Beef Cattle Traceability, which Hayden said will help put Canadian beef into new markets and expand existing ones, as well as strengthen Alberta's animal health and food safety system.

It is a move toward a national beef traceability system, endorsed by the Alberta Beef Producers, the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency, the Beef Industry Alliance, the Canadian Beef Breeds Council, the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency, and Livestock Inspection Services.

The groups also addressed the recent change that saw US$1 of every US$3 levied on each animal sold or slaughtered becoming non-refundable. The money is used for beef and cattle marketing.

"The objectives of this effort have been to establish industry funding to be used for market development and promotion and for research that this industry so desperately needs," said Travis Toews, president of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association.