February 10, 2004

 

 

Reopening of Borders To Canadian Beef May Take Years

 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency believes the resumption of Canadian beef exports may take years, rather than months.

 

The document, obtained by The Canadian Press under Access to Information law, offers a bleak assessment of prospects for reversing import bans imposed by the United States and many other countries.

 

Restrictions on beef exports "are unlikely to change very quickly (years rather than months) since an international consensus will be required to do this," it says.

 

The federal policy paper was written after one case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was detected in an Alberta cow, but before the discovery of BSE in a Washington State cow that had been born in Canada.

 

The U.S. has resumed imports of some Canadian products, such as boneless beef, but producers are anxious to resume trade in live animals.

 

Ron Glaser of Alberta Beef Producers said a prolonged border closure to live cattle would have a "huge impact" on Canadian ranchers. Cattle prices have been cut in half since the discovery of the Washington State case, he said.

 

The document suggests that, in order to regain market access, Canada may have to move beyond scientific measures to additional actions not justified by science which have been adopted in other countries. It mentions Japan, which tests all cattle for BSE prior to slaughter.

 

Gordon Turtle, a spokesman for Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, said the ban on Canadian beef cattle has more to do with protectionism than with science.

 

"Alberta believes that it's going to require a diplomatic full-court press," he said, suggesting Canada and the U.S. work together to publicize the facts about mad cow disease.

 

"The science supports our assertion that Canadian beef and American beef is safe ... but it's gone beyond science now into protectionist politics and perceptions of beef that just aren't supported by fact."

 

A spokesman for Agriculture Minister Bob Speller declined to speculate on how long it will take to reopen beef markets, saying Mr. Speller wants it done as soon as possible.

 

Ed Lloyd, an official at the U.S. Agriculture Department, said he could give no indication of when bans on Canadian beef might be lifted.

 

U.S. politicians tend to be more susceptible to protectionist forces in the runup to a national election and the next election there is November.

 

Canada's protests against foreign import bans are hampered by its own record in banning beef from other countries where BSE was detected.