September 24, 2003

Canada & US To Discuss Animal Health 

Canadian and U.S. health authorities will discuss animal health issues affecting bilateral trade on Wednesday as officials from the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario travel to Boise, Idaho, for a Provinces/States Advisory Group meeting.

"Agricultural trade between our two countries is critical to the success of Alberta's agriculture industry," said Canadian Shirley McClellan, Alberta's Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. The recent case of one cow affected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy has highlighted the need to continually update policies and regulations surrounding animal disease and international trade, keeping them in line with the realities of today's market.