Canadian livestock is now beginning to cross the United States border for feeding and slaughter.
"It is with great pleasure that I advise today is the first day since May 2003 that live cattle shipments are crossing the border from Canada into the United States," says Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Andy Mitchell.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is issuing export certificates for eligible shipments of livestock to the U.S. subsequent to the recent court ruling that allows the USDA to implement a new trade rule re-opening the border. The U.S. border was closed to a wide range of livestock and related products since the detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada on May 20, 2003.
Judge Cebull will hear arguments on July 27 in the Montana court case, and could impose a permanent injunction.
The border is now open to cattle and bison less than 30 months of age and goats and sheep less than 12 months for immediate slaughter and feeding, as well as a broader range of meat products. The rule also removes all BSE-related import restrictions for elk, deer, llamas and alpacas.
The resumption of live animal trade requires Canadian exporters to have shipments certified by a CFIA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the CFIA. Certification includes an animal health inspection and specific identification requirements, and as well shipments need to bear specific Government of Canada seals.
Under the U.S. rule, Canadian slaughter and processing facilities that also process cattle over thirty months of age will be able to retain their export eligibility as long as specific segregation procedures are in place. This may increase Canada's capacity to slaughter older animals since establishments wishing to export to the U.S. were previously not allowed to handle animals over thirty months or related products.