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Non-Tech : Farming -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jon Koplik who wrote (177)	12/30/2004 8:16:41 AM
From: johnlw	Respond to of 4444

Cattle ranchers and beef industry officials were throwing cowboy hats in the air yesterday after the U.S. announced sweeping plans for opening the border to nearly all Canadian exports of beef and live cattle in March. "Isn't that wonderful," whooped Mac McLean, owner of two feedlots near Lethbridge. "That's a big, big step. That's wonderful that they're going to do that." But after 19 months of living without their largest market, many on the Canadian side warn that the relationship between the U.S. and Canadian industries will never be the same again. 'DOSE OF REALITY' "This has been a real dose of reality for us," said Arno Doerksen of the Alberta Beef Producers Association. "There's no question that this has been an interruption in business (that) has been an overreaction. The Canadian industry needs to understand that we need to diversify our marketing opportunities." In a release, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it will now recognize Canada as a minimal-risk region for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), the scientific name for mad cow disease. It means Canadian producers will be able to start shipping live cattle under the age of 30 months, as well as certain other animals and meat products, beginning March 7. They will also be able to ship beef products from animals over 30 months old. Older live animals and breeding cattle will continue to be blocked. "We are committed to ensuring that our regulatory approach keeps pace with the body of scientific knowledge about BSE," said Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman. "After conducting an extensive review, we are confident that imports of certain commodities from regions of minimal risk can occur with virtually no risk to human or animal health." It was the word Canadian producers were hoping to hear. "It is a major breakthrough that some thought would take many years," said Ted Haney of the Canada Beef Export Federation. The decision means about 95% of the trade in beef and cattle could resume in the new year, he said. "Some in the U.S. worked for it; others worked hard to avoid this day." Haney said cattle prices should begin to return almost immediately. "The livelihood of Canadian producers begins to improve today." Haney also said the U.S. rule would encourage other former markets to follow suit. Canada's beef industry has been struggling since May 20, 2003, when it was announced a single breeder cow in northern Alberta tested positive for BSE. $5-BILLION LOSS The U.S. and Canadian cattle industries are highly integrated. Before the trade ban, animals regularly crossed the border and Canada sold more than 70% of its live cattle to the U.S. It's estimated the closure has cost the Canadian industry and rural communities about $5 billion. Federal and provincial governments have spent a total of $1.6 billion to help producers deal with the crisis. In 2002, Canadians exported $1.8 billion of beef products to the States. The second-largest customer, Mexico, came in at $200 million. Cattle ranchers and beef industry officials were throwing cowboy hats in the air yesterday after the U.S. announced sweeping plans for opening the border to nearly all Canadian exports of beef and live cattle in March. "Isn't that wonderful," whooped Mac McLean, owner of two feedlots near Lethbridge. "That's a big, big step. That's wonderful that they're going to do that." But after 19 months of living without their largest market, many on the Canadian side warn that the relationship between the U.S. and Canadian industries will never be the same again. 'DOSE OF REALITY' "This has been a real dose of reality for us," said Arno Doerksen of the Alberta Beef Producers Association. "There's no question that this has been an interruption in business (that) has been an overreaction. The Canadian industry needs to understand that we need to diversify our marketing opportunities." In a release, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it will now recognize Canada as a minimal-risk region for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), the scientific name for mad cow disease. It means Canadian producers will be able to start shipping live cattle under the age of 30 months, as well as certain other animals and meat products, beginning March 7. They will also be able to ship beef products from animals over 30 months old. Older live animals and breeding cattle will continue to be blocked. "We are committed to ensuring that our regulatory approach keeps pace with the body of scientific knowledge about BSE," said Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman. "After conducting an extensive review, we are confident that imports of certain commodities from regions of minimal risk can occur with virtually no risk to human or animal health." It was the word Canadian producers were hoping to hear. "It is a major breakthrough that some thought would take many years," said Ted Haney of the Canada Beef Export Federation. The decision means about 95% of the trade in beef and cattle could resume in the new year, he said. "Some in the U.S. worked for it; others worked hard to avoid this day." Haney said cattle prices should begin to return almost immediately. "The livelihood of Canadian producers begins to improve today." Haney also said the U.S. rule would encourage other former markets to follow suit. Canada's beef industry has been struggling since May 20, 2003, when it was announced a single breeder cow in northern Alberta tested positive for BSE. $5-BILLION LOSS The U.S. and Canadian cattle industries are highly integrated. Before the trade ban, animals regularly crossed the border and Canada sold more than 70% of its live cattle to the U.S. It's estimated the closure has cost the Canadian industry and rural communities about $5 billion. Federal and provincial governments have spent a total of $1.6 billion to help producers deal with the crisis. In 2002, Canadians exported $1.8 billion of beef products to the States. The second-largest customer, Mexico, came in at $200 million. canoe.ca