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R-CALF USA Questions Canadian Cattle Entry into U.S.

R-CALF USA has learned that 405 Canadian feeder cattle that the state of Washington required to be tested for brucellosis and/or bovine tuberculosis before leaving their dry feedlot were diverted to other locations without being tested. R-CALF says these untested cattle have been commingled with domestic cattle herds owned by area ranchers. This action, according to R-CALF USA, exposed these cattle herds to a potential risk of bovine tuberculoses and/or brucellosis.

R-CALF has submitted a written request to the USDA for an investigation of a potential violation of requirements for the importation into the United States of Canadian cattle. In its request, R-CALF USA asked USDA to investigate whether the imported Canadian cattle, which allegedly circumvented Washington state testing requirements, also had entered the United States under a health certificate that may have contained false or misleading information.

In addition, R-CALF USA has filed a separate written request for an investigation concerning this incident with the U.S. Department of Justice and USDA's Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration. The organization also wants to know if this action constituted an unfair and deceptive practice under the Packers and Stockyards Act.