June 10, 2005

AMI says US-Canada beef trade should resume

American Meat Institute (AMI) has reported to the USDA that over the last 12 months, tests on the 380,000 Canadian cattle most likely to suffer from mad cow disease (BSE) have all returned negative.

AMI stressed that science, rather than unnecessary fears should direct cross-border meat trade. The US and Canada have also taken proactive and extensive steps to protect animal and human health with much success.

As the US's and Canada's BSE prevention strategies, regulations and scientific principles are almost identical, AMI stated that full trade should be resumed.

The US is now importing high volumes of Canadian beef from cattle under 30 months of age, according to AMI. 

Meanwhile, AMI has reported manpower and slaughter capacity loss due to layoffs, closed plants and the inability to import Canadian cattle for beef processing.

The US is committing "economic suicide", according to an AMI spokesman.  The ban on Canadian cattle meant that Canada is turning to building new beef plants and expanding existing ones to process Canada's oversupply of cattle, which in turn offer the US beef industry more serious competition. High US domestic beef prices are also affecting local consumers.