January 17, 2005

Canada, Cuba Resume Beef Trade

Cuba will reopen its border to a wide range of Canadian beef products, the Canadian government announced Dec. 14. Beef trade between the two countries was halted since the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada last year. Before the ban, Cuba represented about a $2.2 million market for Canadian beef and beef products.

Cuba will immediately begin importing Canadian beef and beef products from cattle of any age, with a few exceptions including mechanically separated meat, vertebral column, trimmings, and tissues derived from the head. Cuba will also accept pet food that does not contain ruminant meat or bone meal.

Building on this agreement, officials from both countries say they hope to agree shortly on certification requirements that would permit the importation of live Canadian cattle as well.

"It's important for the US government to seize this opportunity and reopen the Cuban market for U.S. beef and beef products as well," said American Meat Institute Vice President of International Trade John Reddington. "Since Canadian beef production and safety standards are really mirror images of those in the U.S., this should be an easy opportunity to re-open this important market for our producers and packers," he said.