March 7, 2006

Mexico imposes new rules for US beef imports

The Mexican government has published new rules that will allow US beef imports after a February decision to recommence imports of US bone-in beef products.

Mexico only imports US beef from cattle under 30 months of age at slaughter. 

The new rules specify that spinal cords, brains and skulls must be removed from the cattle. The USDA does not consider these materials to be at-risk materials as Mexico only imports beef from cattle of less than 30 months. It is believed that cattle are not in danger from the mad cow disease at such a young age. 

The US produced 927,000 tonnes of beef in January - 7 percent above year ago levels.

The USDA is now working on the specifications which the US industry must comply with to begin exporting bone-in beef products.