March 28, 2008

NAFTA partners agree to standardise cattle trade
 

North American Trade Agreement partners, Canada, the US and Mexico, agreed to standardise trade between them according to World Organization for Animal Health guidelines.

The deal between the three countries will allow Canadian breeding cattle to enter Mexico through US ports.

The agreement will take effect today, March 28, according to the USDA.

The new trade protocol will allow farmers to access world-class livestock from anywhere in North America, said Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

On March 4, the Texas Department of Agriculture restricted the movement of Canadian cattle through state facilities on the way to Mexico.

The ban was Texas' protest against Mexico's decision allowing imports of certain Canadian breeding stock, while Mexico's ban on US breeding cattle remained in place.

Texas' decision was later supported by neighbouring New Mexico, Arizona and California.

Mexico imposed a ban on US breeding stock since the first case of BSE was announced in December 2003.