November 20, 2006

US cattle for the first time since 2003 in Canada's Agribition

For the first time since the outbreak of mad-cow disease in Canada, cattle from the US would be displayed this week at the country's largest agricultural marketplace.

Two US producers would be bringing animals across the border for Canada's premier international livestock show, Canadian Western Agribition, held annually in Regina.

Though the presence of a mere 2 exhibitors out of more than 400 might sound insignificant, it represented a major move on the part of American producers to recognise the strength of the Canadian show, said Agribition general manager Leon Brinn.

The animals belong to two different states and two different breeds.

The US producers stopped bringing their cattle to the Agribition following Canada's first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE in May 2003.

According to Brinn, the reappearance of US-based cattle at the show would be welcome news at a time when the industry was looking for some breakthrough at the border.