January 8, 2007
Despite a recent rash of food-borne illnesses in the U.S., and heightened concerns about food safety in general, the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service wants to lift the ban on imports from Canada.
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said the proposal protects U.S. consumers but implements "science-based trade relations with countries that have appropriate safeguards in place to prevent BSE."
"We previously recognized Canada's comprehensive set of safeguards and we have now completed a risk assessment confirming that additional animals and products can be safely traded," Johanns said. "Our approach is consistent with science-based international guidelines."
The proposal expands upon a 2005 rule that allowed the importation of certain live ruminants and ruminant products, including cattle under 30 months of age for delivery to a slaughterhouse or feedlot, from countries recognized as minimal-risk.
In the proposed rule, USDA wants to allow the importation of:
• Live cattle and other bovines for any use born on or after, March 1, 1999, the date determined by APHIS to be the date of effective enforcement of the ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban in Canada;
• Blood and blood products derived from bovines, collected under certain conditions; and
• Casings and part of the small intestine derived from bovines.
Industry groups are joining consumer organizations lining up against the change. R-CALF, a cattle producers' group, has issued an action alert to its members to oppose the move. While the group cites competitive reasons for its opposition, it says safety is a significant issue.
"The full magnitude of Canada's BSE epidemic is still unfolding, but it is already much greater than what USDA has asserted and assumed," the group said in a statement.
USDA is accepting public comment on the proposed rule change until March 12, 2007.
